Bend, But Don't Break

Even the wilderness will rejoice in those days. The desert will blossom with flowers. Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel's pastures and the plain of Sharon. There the LORD will display his glory, the splendor of our God. With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. Say to those who are afraid, "Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you." (Isaiah 35:1-4, NLV).

Today is my birthday. Each year seems to bring more and more memories. Reflections of things that could have been better, or worse. Some of them are filled with the joys of victory, others with the regret of defeat. One of the more vivid memories I have is that of Hurricane Carla. In the 60’s one of the worst storms ever to hit the Gulf Coast came ashore right over my hometown of Galveston. For three days we saw the rains, floods, and winds sweep away many of the homes and businesses around us. We lived in the second story of our corner store. We were safe from the rising water, though the winds, which topped 120 miles per hour, were very frightening. I remember looking out the window at the palm trees that lined our street. As the storm came in they bent drastically to the east. The last three days, when the storm was on its way out of our city, they bent the same to the west. How they survived without snapping was always a wonder to me. But, they did. And when the wind quit blowing they returned to their straight reach toward the sky. They bent, but they never broke.

Have you ever felt like you are about to snap? Have you ever felt like you are at your breaking point? Thankfully, you have survived the experience to live to talk about it.
During the experience you probably felt a mix of emotions that threatened your health. You felt emotionally drained, mentally exhausted and you most likely endured unpleasant physical symptoms. Life is a mixture of good times and bad times, happy moments and unhappy moments. The next time you are experiencing one of those bad times or unhappy moments that take you close to your breaking point, bend but don't break. Try your best not to let the situation get the best of you.

Remember where your hope is centered. That will take you through the unpleasant ordeal. With hope for a better tomorrow or a better situation, things may not be as bad as they seem to be. The unpleasant ordeal may be easier to deal with if the end result is worth having. If the going gets tough and you are at your breaking point, show resilience. Like the palm trees, bend, but don't break! God has not forgotten or forsaken you. He will not let you down. Bend, but don’t break. Turn your hearts toward the One who has given Himself for you. Let Him draw you near and hold you safe in His arms in the midst of the raging storms of life. Bend, but don’t break!