Dericka Canada Cunningham, GBW Founder
May 20, 2024
This Week's Anchor
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because,
having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life
that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
James 1:12 (NIV)
How many experiences in life would be much easier if we could only avoid them? Many of us have attempted to duck, dive, and dodge life’s obstacles, hoping they will miss us somehow. And yet, as we wander about our journeys, some life experiences are simply unavoidable. I am reminded of an old children’s nursery song with lyrics that capture this reality. Some of you might remember this song, “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt”. Although I don’t relate with or support hunting bears, the lyrics to this song share a story of children going on the adventure of discovering a bear and coming across several hurdles along the way (i.e., tall grass, a mushroom patch, and a river). The song conveys that in facing these barriers, we “can’t go over it, can’t go under it, can’t go around it, gotta go through it.”
These lyrics along with our anchor scripture this week highlight the powerful message that many of life’s journeys require us to tunnel through. Our scripture takes this message further by encouraging there is a great blessing in preserving under trial. This week’s anchor scripture is preceded by other powerful verses that call us to consider the process of wading through life’s trails as joyous because of the work that can be done within us by enduring. It can be tough to wrap our minds around this perspective because it’s understandably difficult to consider our struggles a blessing while we are still amid them. We need not feel ashamed that we find it difficult, and we don’t need to stress trying to convince ourselves to feel differently. However, what we can do is be intentional in affirming ourselves as we go through these inevitable challenges. As we navigate our experiences, some affirming things we might need to remind ourselves include:
Going through tough situations might be the only way to get to the other side, and that’s okay—It’s okay to feel concerned, worried, and afraid. We can surrender the process and our concerns to God in prayer and worship, trusting that reassurance, joy, and surpassing peace will be granted to us in return.
Even when we feel lonely, we are never alone on our paths through life’s challenging processes—Even when we aren’t consistently seeking God in tough moments, God graciously sees us and invites us into connection with Him in small but meaningful ways. No matter the struggle, we have the presence and power of the Holy Trinity there to help us wade through.
We aren’t the first or the last person to be called to tunnel through a difficult moment—Not only does the Bible offer countless narratives of others who have tunneled through, but many of us hold the tunneling-through stories of our ancestors and families close to us. We can recall or recognize others around us who have gone (or are going) through related challenges. Although each of us has our unique personhoods, identities, and experiences, these shared stories can inspire us and serve as humbling and hopeful reminders of our shared humanity.
What we need most from ourselves in these moments is grace and compassion—When we are in uncharted territory, we can easily find ourselves shaming or berating ourselves for how we feel or for how challenging it seems. Sometimes this critical voice is amplified as an attempt to motivate ourselves; however, when this voice goes into overdrive it can leave us feeling even more discouraged and defeated. Instead, we can offer ourselves the tenderness, understanding, and validation our hearts and souls yearn for.
We don’t have to figure it out on our own—While it’s understandable (and common) to have the urge to retreat and isolate when we are wading through challenging seasons, it can (at times) be helpful to resist this urge and do the opposite. As we’ve previously discussed, there is an important difference between solitude and isolation. Through reflection and introspection, we can understand ourselves better to know where we are on this continuum and what we truly need. Not only might it be supportive to connect with friends, family, and other loved ones in our lives to encourage us, but as we’ve continuously expressed in this devotional community, there are many resources that can also be useful in supporting us.
I don’t know exactly what tunnel you find yourself going through at this moment—whether it’s embarking on a challenging journey of healing, navigating tough times in marriage, parenting, or other relationships, wading through mental health and/or physical health concerns, fostering a different identity, entering a new chapter, charting through grief and trauma, attempting to live out an unpredictable calling, coping through rejection and disappointment, or managing the load of life’s stressors, you’ve maybe not yet gotten over it, and can’t seem to get under it; you’re not quite able to go around it, but God will get you through it. Rest assured that He’s right there with you, and your Grounded Black Women community is rooting for you through it as well.
Reflection
What is resonating for you about this scripture and/or this devotion?
What do you need (from the Holy Trinity and others) to help you wade through your present experiences?
What intention(s) do you want to set to connect and/or reconnect with being grounded this week?
Related Scriptures to Ground You Through this Week
Psalm 9:9
Jeremiah 29:11-13
1 Timothy 6:12
Hebrews 12:1-3
James 1:2-8
1 Peter 5:10
My Through-the-Week Reflection Guide
A Song of Inspiration
Quote of Love & Liberation
“Don't let anyone shame you into becoming hopeless. It's ok to be hopeful.
Hope doesn't deny reality. You're simply allowing space for your optimism to become the reality.”
Bethanee Epifani J. Bryant
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