This past week has been a tough one in the Barry household. For me it has been the toughest week I have ever had in my professional life. On top of that, all of us have been battling a late summer cold.
Monday got off to a rough start and the rest of the week followed suit. Last Sunday night my pastor Bill Talbert delivered a great message on rejoicing and blessings. He spoke about rejoicing in the good times and rejoicing in the bad times. God will bless you when he knows where he stands in your life. He said it’s easy to rejoice when everything is going your way, but a true test of faith is when you can rejoice when everything seems to be going against you.
That is a lot easier said than done. It’s hard to not get down when pressure is squashing your joy. I tried to sing my favorite hymns in my head and just press through the long days, but somehow managed to keep “Greensleeves” rattling through my head. My wife knows I’m frustrated when I whistle or hum that song.
Like all people I have good days and I have bad days. I truly enjoy my job and love what I do, although sometimes the battle gets long. That’s when the test comes, not when you’re refreshed and bright eyed.
Life tests you when you’re tired and down and struggling for hope. It’ll beat the joy out of you.
Then Friday night I was reading a column submitted by Rev. R.D. Bernard. He said that we often give up too soon, but if we persevere through adversity a blessing is right around the corner.
He went on to talk about how we often create our own adversity and then recalled the story of Jacob in the Bible. Jacob was a trickster and was constantly battling problems of his own creation, but somehow he found favor with God. Jacob’s blessing came after he spent a night wrestling with an angel. He refused to let go until the angel blessed him, he didn’t give up.
Friday night I went to bed with what seemed like the weight of the world on my shoulders but felt a peace come over me early in the morning. God always delivers on his promises and he will reaffirm them to you. He does this in his own time in his own way. I hadn’t asked Rev. Bernard for a column but somehow he knew what I needed.
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Paul Barry is the managing editor and can be reached by email at paul.barry@vicksburgpost.com or by phone at 601-636-4545 ext. 123.