What a mystery life is . . . beginning to end. We fight our way into this world, leaving warmth, safety, ease. We live. We get sick, we get well. We experience great moments, we are badgered by hard moments. We amass ‘treasures’ of this world. We have opportunity to amass ‘treasures’ and legacy in the next.

So how then will we live . . . in our joys . . . and in our sorrows?

Isn’t that what really matters . . . the how of life?

My most recent ‘how’ has been to determine how I will deal with ever increasing levels of pain stemming from issues in my neck. Go with instinct, or stand in faith.

Instinct, or what is more likely temptation, says give in to the ‘woe is me’ thoughts that tend to assault me in moments like these. Go ahead, sink into despair over the reality of current limitations and at the thought of long term ones lurking on the horizon.

Instinct screams ‘no, not again’ . . . not this level of pain to deal with, live through. Not this resultant battle against the enemy of my soul, threatening my resolve, sanity, joy, and ability to cope.

But faith declares ‘believe’, trust the beauty of my LORD. Trust in the name, reputation, and promises of God. Promises declaring God will be with us always, on all our days. God’s presence will indwell us in whatever pain comes our way. God will use our honest struggles and life journeys, when given over to Him, to amass great treasures of eternal significance.

Not by my might, strength, faith . . . but rather in my weaknesses, God’s power is made perfect. God’s grace is sufficient for every moment. God’s presence sustains me. God’s Spirit moves in and through me. God is my how.

For the LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him. Psalm 28:7