Have you ever gone through a season where you felt like Job? It seemed for every step forward you took, you were knocked back two steps? James and I went through a very difficult time in the late nineties. It culminated with a summer of me loosing my job, and my mom, my childhood pastor and a favorite student all passing away.

I was at my lowest point. But in my grief, my profound sadness, giving up was never an option. I kept hearing the words of Author Alice Walker, “We need to learn to be sick and dismayed but not lie down and die.” I refused to let my spirit die. I refused to believe that was the end.

When We look back at the last eighteen years, my husband and I are amazed at God’s complete restoration in our lives. Honestly, when we were going through it, we never imagined we would be where we are today. But God is faithful. He restored every aspect of that difficult time.

If you are in a season where you feel like Job, or if you are mourning a loss, or if you are experiencing a break in a relationship, or sickness is ravaging your body, I want to encourage you, God will restore. Your latter will be greater than the former. Your current struggle will be a memory and a testimony of God’s faithfulness.

Yes, the struggle is real sometimes. But so is the promised restoration.

“After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.

The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part.” Job‬ ‭42:10, 12‬ ‭NIV‬‬