For much of my parenting I focused on helping my kids make good decisions, yet as they’ve grown into adults I’ve realized that their decisions are only part of the factor. My kids will also face heartbreak because of hard circumstances and the decisions of others. There are times the darkness will seem to overwhelm our adult kids, and it’s during these times as parents we must pray for our children to stand, to believe, and to overcome, even in the midst of life’s pain.
My oldest son faced some heartbreaking circumstances in the last few years, but I’m proud of how he’s turned to God and sought His help. Below is Cory’s words, and a poem he wrote. I pray it’ll bless you today. Also, how can I pray for you? Are you in the midst of a heartbreaking time? Leave a comment and let me know!
Guest post by Cory Goyer
Life can be hard. Life can be disappointing. There are many ups and just as many downs. I’ve had my share of dark days. Days where I didn’t know how to go on. On one of those days while dealing with some pain I realized that I did not have to do this alone. A phrase came to me “I have my Savior by my side and an army at my back. I will not be overcome.” That phrase became the basis for my poem ‘Stand’ and became an important part of my journey through the darkness. I now have a piece of encouragement forever on my arm as a reminder that through the help of my Savior and those who support me I WILL NOT BE OVERCOME.
Stand
I stand in the arena
The sand beneath my feet
My enemies surround me
They crave for my defeat
In this crucible of courage
My heart has wavered so
But here I stand and here I’ll stay
I will not yield, I will not give way
Their blades of fear and doubt
Clash against my shield of faith
They try to slip past my defense
All hope they would erase
But I am a champion
A son of the king
Here I stand and here I’ll stay
I will not yield to anything
I stand in the arena
A paragon of hope
The spirit of my spear
Strikes against my foe
Time and again they come at me
One by one they fall
They try to overpower me
I endure it all
If I cannot be struck down
They try deceit instead
In the shadows, they whisper
Their words are precise, like a dagger
With my darkest, deepest fears
They try to resonate
My soul wavers
My eyes close
Abyssal blackness around me
Pain begins to surround me
I feel the world slipping
Poison dripping
Heavy breathing
Drowning
Darkness
Like the kings and heroes of old
When darkness overcame them
When the ocean threatened to drown them
When the enemy would tame them
With the last of my breath, I whisper
Save
Me
Light!
Shining bright!
Pierces the night!
Darkness flees
My soul alights!
A hand on my shoulder
Both gentle and strong
My Savior has found me
He was here all along
I am protected by righteousness
I am lifted up by truth
The enemy hisses
Through fang and tooth
I wear salvation like a crown
For I am saved and I am free
I tread upon the peace
That the King has given me
I stand in the arena
But I do not stand alone
Let this be known!
I have my Savior at my side
And an army at my back
I will not be overcome
I will not be overrun
To those who only spectate
I urge you to fight
Join us in the arena
Join us in the light
I invite my brothers
To fight by my side
I invite my sisters
To join me with pride
For we are all children
Of the everlasting King
And of our victories
The very heavens sing
I stand in the arena
I will not kneel I will not bow
I stand in the arena
Here I make this vow
Until the day I rest
When I reach the distant shore
I stand in the arena
To fight forevermore
Please let us know how we can pray for you to STAND.
The post Learning to Stand, to Believe, to Overcome … in the midst of life’s pain appeared first on Tricia Goyer.