Thriving In the Barren Place
Paula Romang
Truth Always Rises
My story is one of heartbreak and loss, yet readers often comment that, mingled with the pain, hope rises from the pages. How? How can hope, and even joy, live and breathe in a story of such long-term heartache? How can hope, joy, and grief dwell together within the same broken heart?
They don’t dwell together naturally. They live together only in this holy space where the truth of Scripture forms life’s foundation. When hope and joy are defined and built upon truth, they are evergreen; they too will rise, because truth always rises.
Hope and joy are not governed by circumstances or emotions, because they are governed by truth. Happiness, that bubbled around me, was short-lived as summer’s blossom; crushing pain was as transient as an icy winter blast. However, hope and joy remained even when circumstances changed.
Hope lifted my eyes toward the truth of eternity; joy buoyed me upon the roughest waters because it reminded me Who was firmly in control and Who held me
Hope and joy arise from a settled understanding and application of the truth of Scripture. Scripture teaches that this life isn’t all there is. It is a shadow, and the true light glows just beyond the horizon. It reminded me that eternity is our soul’s native land; our souls instinctively know its home.
Joy rests in the settled truth that God is in complete control and that our earthly suffering carries divine purpose. Because joy arises from those two truths, it acts as a buoy--buffeted, yet always resurfacing.
This lesson landed firmly when my preemie twins were babies. Matthew’s struggles were becoming increasingly obvious. Though sadness and disappointment pummeled me, these truths held me steady: The Eternal God was firmly in control of these circumstances unfolding in my kitchen. No matter what transpired in the bleak unknown, my boys and I were held in His hands. Whether God healed Matthew or led us straight into a squall, He was sovereignly and compassionately in control. Whatever we suffered held divine purpose I could only understand from glory’s side. These truths held me steady, trusting Him even as He steered us directly into a howling storm.
My emotions often rose to call the shots. Exhaustion, crushing loneliness, and deep sadness were constant companions. However, truth did not become less true because emotions were loud. It simply meant I must quiet my soul in His presence and stabilize my soul with truth. It was the only way to hear His still, small voice in the pounding storm.
I must continually keep the truth before me; it must live and breathe within me, as it became increasingly clear both the storm and the journey would be long. Truth would be my fortress, my refuge, my guiding light, my strength, my song, and the weapon in hand. Truth was my steadfast companion—my lifeline, for by it and through it I would rise strong and valiant. By the truth and through walking daily in its light, I could rise to build a life for my boys and me in this painful, barren place.
His word lifted my gaze toward the realities of eternity. In many ways, it is more real than this temporal world that is passing away. I longed for the day when Matthew’s struggles were a faint memory, and he was healed and whole. I longed to be with my Jesus, who walked the whole journey with me, held me up, and carried me more than I know. He was my true and living hope.
Though I often felt abandoned, I knew the Eternal God was with me. His eye was upon me; He missed nothing. I spoke with Him all day and into the nights—He was my joy.
Hope and joy can only dwell with grief when He is our center—our bedrock. Without Him, grief will crush us, hope and joy will languish. He is the game-changer, because He is truth; He is the source of hope and joy. That is how hope and joy rise from this story of heartbreak and loss. They rise because they are anchored in Him. He is truth, and truth always rises.
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