{"id":1634,"date":"2021-08-27T07:26:16","date_gmt":"2021-08-27T11:26:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2021\/08\/27\/we-made-it-through-the-storm-and-the-rain\/"},"modified":"2021-08-27T07:26:16","modified_gmt":"2021-08-27T11:26:16","slug":"we-made-it-through-the-storm-and-the-rain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2021\/08\/27\/we-made-it-through-the-storm-and-the-rain\/","title":{"rendered":"We made it through the storm and the rain."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You ever heard the saying \u201cthe struggle is real?\u201d I used to say that all the time when my family and I weren\u2019t even making enough to say we lived paycheck to paycheck. Many moons we had to \u201crob Peter to pay Paul.\u201d Many moons we had to figure out which bills can we go another month without paying before we get a pink slip just to keep the roof over our head. Let\u2019s just say that didn\u2019t always work out and sometimes we found ourselves sleeping on my moms couch a time or two. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I look back and even though we didn\u2019t have a lot, I can honestly say we didn\u2019t manage the money well that we did have. We wanted to keep up with the \u201cjoneses\u201d knowing we didn\u2019t have the \u201cpot to piss in our the window to throw it out.\u201d We went through eviction, went through the shame and embarrassment of the whole neighborhood seeing the Richland County Sheriff\u2019s Department throwing our personal belongings out on the street, we\u2019ve had our shares of clothing drives, food banks, Cooperative Ministry paying our light bill, and getting free diapers from different church based organizations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yep, we went through it. But I\u2019m so glad this morning that though we WENT through it we AREN\u2019T THERE TODAY! You see when Rico and I gained some financial common sense we were able to set up a budget, we were able to upgrade our jobs because McDonalds and Marshall\u2019s wasn\u2019t \u201ccutting the mustard\u201d, we were able to give back to the Lord although it wasn\u2019t as consistent as it should have been, we were able to be comfortable and finally make it to where we could afford our lifestyle and maybe have ten or twenty cents in the bank after all the bills were paid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But you see God didn\u2019t let us stay there, oh He provided a MAJOR comeback for our setbacks over the years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know God allowed us to suffer for some time to help us see we weren\u2019t invisible and that we didn\u2019t have nothing without Him. Sometimes when folks get money they forget who blessed them with the job, the health, the strength, transportation or that bus ticket to allow them to have some money in their pocket. Some folks get the big head and the struggle humbles them. In my case the struggle showed me to appreciate EVERYTHING and not to take for granted what we could have had but wasn\u2019t responsible enough to handle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s easy judging folks about how they manage their finances but it takes someone who LIVED in the struggle be it a personal choice, bad decisions, or whatever led you to the point I thank God He has helped us to make the necessary provisions in our lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet again so quickly do people forget you can go right back to that same poverty or way of thinking in a second if you aren\u2019t careful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

God knows that soldiers are to be made only in battle; they are not to be grown in peaceful times.\u201d<\/p>Charles Spurgeon<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

God placed it on my heart to talk about this today because often times I hear so many people talk about the \u201cgood old days,\u201d but folks forget about the same struggles from those days. They forget about the generational struggles some folks came up in, they forget about the poverty their parents and grandparents fought hard to get them up out of, and oh often do we forget how it help mold us and make us into the very being we are today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking for myself I don\u2019t act \u201cbouch\u00e9e\u201d and I always remember where my help comes from! I know that God has brought and delivered me through the storm, the pain, the sunshine and the rain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now to put some context to what I\u2019m saying\u2026I don\u2019t want those reading todays message to think only the \u201cpoor\u201d struggle because that is the furthest from the truth. It\u2019s plenty of ways to struggle other than financially. You got folks who struggle daily mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and the list goes on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aren\u2019t you happy there is a higher power than you and I? Aren\u2019t you happy we serve a God that doesn\u2019t lie? Aren\u2019t you happy we serve a God who cannot disappoint? Are you glad about our God keeping all of His promises. Lord knows I am. You see when you start to dissect God\u2019s word we see that some of our very own choices led us to the rabbit hole we are in, the successful lifestyle we always wanted to obtain, or in the midst of a breakthrough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Struggles aren\u2019t meant to be a punishment in the sense that some think. God doesn\u2019t delight in our demise but how many folks can\u2019t agree that it helped humble us and put all of our trust in the one whom is omnipresent, omnipotent, and all powerful! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can I tell you this morning that God does not put more on us than we can bear. Can I tell you this morning that troubles don\u2019t last always. Oh is there anyone out there this morning that knows that God is gracious, God is loving, and God cares. I don\u2019t think y\u2019all hear me this morning! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

God wants us all to know that He is there for us through it all. He wants us to know we must praise Him in the good and the bad, the Happy and the sad, our ups and our down, in and through our disappointments. He is always there and He will lend a helping hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This morning I don\u2019t want you to look at struggles as consequences and I want you to look at the blessings that are yield from our various struggles. God wants to make and mold you not break or fold you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I pray that whatever you have struggled with, are struggling with, or will struggle with it will produce a steadfast faith. It is my prayer you see God\u2019s strength and His power in every situation. Lord I pray this morning for those reading today\u2019s message that they know they can put their trust and hope in You. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. <\/p>Isaiah 41:13<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>James 1:12<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.<\/p>2 Corinthians 12:9<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.<\/p>Psalm 46:1<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

I was afraid I couldn\u2019t make it past certain hurdles in my life, I was afraid I would fail BUT GOD! He gave me the strength to endure and the faith bigger than the size of a mustard seed. Thank you Lord for carrying me through some rough times and some very dark days. When I\u2019m afraid, I\u2019ll put my trust in God. Will you do the same? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You ever heard the saying \u201cthe struggle is real?\u201d I used to say that all the time when my family and I weren\u2019t even making enough to say we lived paycheck to paycheck. Many moons we had to \u201crob Peter… Read moreWe made it through the storm and the rain.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[16],"tags":[105],"class_list":["post-1634","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-strength","tag-strugglesdontlastalways","content-layout-excerpt-thumb"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2573,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2025\/04\/29\/has-that-girl-gone-mad\/","url_meta":{"origin":1634,"position":0},"title":"Has that girl gone mad?","author":"Whitnee","date":"April 29, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"I had come home from work yesterday mentally exhausted. As soon as I walked through the door, I noticed it was unusually hot. So I thought, \u201cnot this again, I do not have the time or the resources for this!\u201d Just what I dreaded, our air went out. I had\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Finding Peace"","block_context":{"text":"Finding Peace","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/category\/peace\/finding-peace\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/img_2203.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/img_2203.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/img_2203.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/img_2203.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/img_2203.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/img_2203.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2038,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2022\/07\/27\/increase-your-resources\/","url_meta":{"origin":1634,"position":1},"title":"Increase your resources.","author":"Whitnee","date":"July 27, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"I was talking to a good buddy of mine and she shared a story of a kind man who was offered a job. For weeks this man sat out in front of the store in which she worked with no food, blankets, clothing, or anything. One by one folks passing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Life Issues"","block_context":{"text":"Life Issues","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/category\/life-issues\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/b735fb2d-becf-4764-b64c-bdfcbf339754.png?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/b735fb2d-becf-4764-b64c-bdfcbf339754.png?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/b735fb2d-becf-4764-b64c-bdfcbf339754.png?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/b735fb2d-becf-4764-b64c-bdfcbf339754.png?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2088,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2022\/09\/21\/i-would-have-waited-another-decade-for-you\/","url_meta":{"origin":1634,"position":2},"title":"I would have waited another decade for you!","author":"Whitnee","date":"September 21, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"It had been almost two years ago when we were finally getting to a point where things were looking more promising! Phone calls were consistent, visits were getting back on schedule, toxic vibes were at bay, everything was all good. And then came the day all hell broke loose. It\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Getting rid of the extra baggage"","block_context":{"text":"Getting rid of the extra baggage","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/category\/parenting\/getting-rid-of-the-extra-baggage\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/300f95c3-9234-43aa-842a-d56db4bde1d0.png?fit=675%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/300f95c3-9234-43aa-842a-d56db4bde1d0.png?fit=675%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/300f95c3-9234-43aa-842a-d56db4bde1d0.png?fit=675%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1357,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2020\/12\/17\/im-glad-she-opened-up-her-big-mouth-too\/","url_meta":{"origin":1634,"position":3},"title":"I\u2019m glad she opened up her BIG MOUTH too!","author":"Whitnee","date":"December 17, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"You ever heard of that saying \u201cyour setback could be God\u2019s comeback!\u201d I have a little story to tell you how God came back after a setback in my life. Do you remember me telling you months ago that someone stole the bikes out of my yard? 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Ezelda hadn't spoken with him and she heard there had just been a shooting in the neighborhood he lives in about 4 hours earlier. We didn't want her to upset\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Coping with change"","block_context":{"text":"Coping with change","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/category\/parenting\/coping-with-change\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1288,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2020\/10\/14\/walking-in-the-f-o-g-favor-of-god-in-spite-of\/","url_meta":{"origin":1634,"position":5},"title":"Walking in the F.O.G. (FAVOR OF GOD) in spite of….","author":"Whitnee","date":"October 14, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Yesterday was such a blur..... I woke up around 3:00 am to check on my mom who had been coughing through the night. By the time I got finished with assisting my mom, so many ideas came to mind about our future home I couldn\u2019t sleep. 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