If you're like me and have been true a few challenges lately you might like to know one way to traverse a tightrope. Okay... not literally... but it's that analogy that gives us a greater understanding of how to best walk through challenging times. It's an analogy that helps us grasp spiritual concepts in a practical way.


Be joyful because you have hope.

Be patient when trouble comes,
and pray at all times. 
Romans 12:12

 

It’s been a hard week for me.

I won’t bore you with the details, but through the difficulties I knew that I could choose joy.

And often I did.

Choosing to be joyful is a mindset.

Some days it’s like walking a tightrope with that big long stick.

 

There’s only one way to traverse a tightrope.

One step at a time.

With our eyes fixed on the finish.

 

There's Only One Way to Traverse a Tightrope JoyDay! - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

For us as believers…

Walking in joy is one step at a time, too.

The stick we carry… is Jesus our hope.

He gives us the balance we need for each step.

And while he is with us each step of the way…

He’s also waiting for us at the finish…

Saying, “Keep your eyes fixed on me.”

 

Successful tightrope walkers don’t get across by rushing.

Instead they exercise great patience.

 

When we’re walking the tightrope of trouble…

we’ll find success if we’re patient.

Throwing down the stick and trying to run across that rope as quickly as possible will undoubtedly insure a misstep and ultimately a fall.

 

Praying and praising God was Nik Wallenda’s way of rope stepping his way across Niagara Falls.

And that’s the key for us too.

 

We can attempt to traverse the tightrope of difficulty in our own strength.

Or… we can step patiently, with God, relying on him, and pouring our hearts out to him and listening for his leading.

 

If you're like me and have been true a few challenges lately you might like to know one way to traverse a tightrope. Okay... not literally... but it's that analogy that gives us a greater understanding of how to best walk through challenging times. It's an analogy that helps us grasp spiritual concepts in a practical way. - Romans 12:12 Be joyful because you have hope.

 

It sort of seems crazy for a tightrope walker to carry that huge long stick.  It seems that holding one’s arms out would be enough.  There is some amazing science behind that.

I just learned the physics behind the tightrope walker’s stick… but I have known from experience that holding God’s hand will give us the stability and strength we need, and most of all our hope will be renewed.

Sure there will be moments we falter.  Not unlike a gust of wind that will challenge the tightrope walker.

But, if we’re hanging onto Jesus… the author and perfecter of our faith… we will have hope which gives joy.

 

There's Only One Way to Traverse a Tightrope - Hang on to Jesus - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Whatever it is you’re going through right now.

Hang on to Jesus.

Be patient.

And pray.

It’s the very best thing you can do.

 

And know… you’re not alone.

I’m on the next tightrope over.

Plus… we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.

 

Oh… there is one more thing you can do to make your joy meter soar…

Give thanks… in all circumstances… for this is the will of the Father for you.

 

There's only one way... JoyDay! - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

It JoyDay!

Please join me in counting “seven” from the past week.  “Seven” things… good and not-so-good that you will be thankful for.  It really will make a difference.  I dare you.

I’ll start…

Thank you God for:

  1. the most amazing “after” sunset I can ever remember.  Forty minutes of the heavens declaring you’re glorious.
  2. knowing you have a plan for us… even though we cannot see it… and a glimmer of possibility.
  3. giving me the strength to “step into the Jordan.”
  4. a friend who blew me away with her kindness.
  5. a special friend who sends me daily texts of encouragement to start the day.
  6. blogging friends who are a joy to work with.
  7. the refiner’s fire.

 

Now it’s YOUR turn!

Please join me by tapping in your ‘seven’ in the ‘share your extraordinary thoughts’ section below.

Thank you for stopping by and taking time to leave your sweet thoughts.

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Comments

  1. Debbie says

    Thankful for…
    The wonderful angel God sent to pray with me during my panic attack at the grocery store
    For all the bloggers who bring God into my path each day (you)
    For having a roof over my head and heat during this nasty weather
    For my son and I continuing to get along with him living here
    For my brother making me laugh this week
    For the news from the Doc that it may take the meds another 2 weeks to work
    For the Doc understanding why I couldn’t take a certain medicine
    And for God being with me through the entire week and always

    • Debbie… I love how God places people at just the right time to love us with his love. Rejoicing with you at his wonderful provision for you and trusting with you for the new week to be blessed in every little and big way by our God who loves us with his amazing rich and lavish love. {Hugs}

  2. Debbie says

    Diane, I hope next week is a better week for you! 🙂 God be with us both 🙂

  3. Debbi Saunders says

    Thank You God for:
    1. my son receiving a pay check owed him for the last 4 or 5weeks and much needed!
    2. for the Lord coming into a tense situation with someone at school in a positive way…
    3. for answered prayer for people on my prayer chain….
    4. for continued healing….
    5. for sending the right people into our lives to help us through this trial…
    6. for my Faithful, Loving Friends and their never ending prayer support!
    7. for my Best and closest Friend, Jesus, who is always with me!
    I pray Diane that this new week will bring you both Extraordinary Blessings in many ways and forms!

    • I join with you Debbi in thanking God for his goodness in your life this week. Oh how he loves you. 🙂
      Praying you sense his grace and provision in overwhelming measure this week. [[hugs]]

  4. Oh how I wish you lived closer to me! I’d have you in for coffee and a light lunch. We would share our hearts and encourage one another. We’d talk about how God has always proved Himself faithful and share our stories of the miraculous in our lives. We’ d pray for one another for sure. Then we’d go our separate ways with joy in our hearts in spite of the circumstances.

    Much love to you Diane,
    Patti
    1. God is sovereign and the path before us is all prepared.
    2. God loves surprising us with good gifts.
    3. Love of friends and family.
    4. God’s beauty in nature.
    5. Good things to look forward to.
    6. A warm, dry, flood free home when much of our state is floating away!
    7. God’s provision.

    • Patti… I have no doubt we would have an endless coffee than would go right through lunch. 🙂 I can imagine the conversation now. 🙂
      Thanks for sharing your ‘seven’ Patti. I rejoice with you that you stayed warm and dry. That is such an incredible blessing.
      Have a blessed weekend my friend!

  5. Kim says

    Diane, I love this analogy. It’s so true…taking one step at a time, depending on God to get us through the dark. We both used Romans 12:12 in yesterday’s posts. God did that! You are a blessing, my friend. 🙂

    • Glad you loved the analogy. That was God for sure!!
      We fool ourselves when we think we can go it alone, yes?
      That really is fascinating we used the same verse. Hmmm… I love the way God works!!!
      Romans 12:12 is a verse that I need to go to when I struggle. And this week I needed to re-read the post I had written several times. God sure keeps us on our knees, doesn’t he?

      Thanks for popping by Kim!!
      Hope your weekend has be filled with unexpected God moments!
      [hugs]

  6. Gwen says

    I’m always a bit mixed up on days. Now it is into October and in mid September I was changing my calendar!
    Oh my heart sunk. When you shared the week had not gone well.
    Life is a strange journey. I look at someone now having the worst trials of life and I used to be jealous for all seemed so cheery for her. But she had to pull the plug and her cheerful daughter I also knew–with five children–has gone to heaven. The hope the doctors gave? It was not to stay on earth and I’m still in hurt and disbelief. For just last year this woman’s husband was diagnosed with stage 4 no hope cancer. He rallied when their daughter was fighting for her life but just the next month he too was back in fighting to live. He’s alive. Their widowed son in law is doing well with his kids but the woman I was envious of? How dark and sad her days must go so I pray. For the children. For her. For her husband. Her other daughter.
    For my Mom who is alone and cannot see nor hear well. For a friend fighting a terrible parasite. For a child deeply unsure and unhappy. For a young preteen who has a rare disease to which there is no cure and all the trials of chemo have not helped and his kidneys are now failing. For my husband who has blindness and grows weary because his brain is working hard to compensate for seeing half the world plus his brain is still trying to remember how to do things even for his job. And caring for me who at times can’t remember How do I sit down?? How do I stand up? I’m in terror of the neighbors. Please come Curt! And the terror I feel makes him frightened and he’s at a loss for these neighbors are to be feared. For a couple that can’t have a child and so desperately want one to the woman who has two children and no child support and her parents are both dead. The Lord looks down upon the hurting parents, cousins, grandparents, siblings, aunts, classmates and community of Roseburg who are numb with what has happened in their little college and they weep and wonder why and they hear the dead were martyred for their faith but it hurts and we are not a barbarian country but one of land of the free and home of the brave…not terrorists. And the Lord sees the tears. And He reaches down and comforts us with hurts with a peace that passes all understanding. I stand up on the Lord. I’m up there on my Lord safe. How? By my strength? No. The JOY of the Lord is my strength for my heart is heavy.
    1. Turn to verses and have them ready in advance for the moment I need them like today. Reading two verses from Isaiah and Psalms that address the issue of God being with us as we age
    2. Fear not. And as the winds blew and I talked to Jesus about the wind and feeling like a disciple and He sleeping through it all like Curt, I felt the Lord and I slept until I awoke cold!!
    3. I’m thankful that though I have the present right welllll not that much I can remember the long ago. And the verses and hymns comfort me.
    4. Though I am isolated and feel alone I get messages and texts and emails and conversations ” I’m praying for you”
    5. I feel better just focusing on the joy in the midst of hard times. I like looking for it!!!
    Diane a prayer has been sent for you.

    • Dear sweet Gwen… oh how you feel the pain of others. I am certain we are numb to the pain of others until we have gone through the depths.
      I had so hoped that Curt’s appointment with the heart doctor had gone well… yet that is the least of it. I don’t understand… but I do know that God walks with you and holds you and loves you and you glorify HIM… and maybe that’s all that really counts. Us and HIM and trust.
      Praying for you and Curt and trusting God for breakthrough. {{hugs}}

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