Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
I’ve heard over and over the phrase, “God can’t give you more than you can handle”, but I don’t think that is true. He gives us more sometimes to grow us closer to Him. He’s always got us covered, but he brings us through different journeys for different reasons, for different times in our lives.
Do you feel courageous?
Do you feel broken?
Do you feel worn?
These last few weeks for me have been pretty tough and stressful for me. My son Charlie, who has high functioning autism at nearly 14 years old, has been a little more emotional and sensitive. He shared so much the other day when he was struggling. He had a tough time with some transitions during his school day and it kept getting worse.
I asked him at the end of the day, “What happened today?”
He said, “Going from lunch and back to work just doesn’t make sense. Eating lunch takes away time from my work.” He went on to explain that his overthinking gets worse and worse to the point that he gets angry. I asked him what overthinking meant and he said, “thinking too much.” He said, “Figuring out directions is harmful to me, it is hard to do. All of my body is telling me to do it, it feels like I shouldn’t do it. I feel like it won’t work.” He said when he was younger he didn’t overthink.
He went on to explain that he couldn’t put what’s in his mind out with words. He told me he is more aware of the people in his surroundings and environment, that’s the problem.
When my son is able to communicate these deep thoughts I am so excited. Excited that he is caring, excited that he is able to express some of these things inside him, but sad that he is struggling and so conflicted.
Rick Warren said recently,
“Courage is not the absence of fear; courage is moving ahead in spite of your fear. If you’re not afraid, you don’t need courage. Courage comes because you’re scared to death but you also believe it’s what God wants you to do, so you do it anyway.”
My son keeps showing me courage. He struggles, but he shows courage as he works through the tough stuff all the time. He in turn gives me courage to be his mom and help him make progress. Christ ultimately gives both of us the most courage. You may not think you are courageous, but just being a mom of a child with unique needs takes lots of courage and love. Go to Christ, talk to Him. He is always there to listen and give us courage and strength to get through the really tough days. He loves you so much.
Thank you Charlie for showing me how to be courageous!
Moms, you are courageous!
Blessings,
Patty Myers
autismblessings
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Oh, to have my son be able to share what is in his mind, as Charlie is learning to do! That is so beautiful! I keep praying for words to explain emotions. Yes, this journey takes courage, for our children, and for us. Thank God we have the Holy Spirit to give us that kind of courage on a daily basis!
Celebrating with you that your son could verbalize his needs and what wasn’t working for him like that. What a gift! Doesn’t make life a cake-walk, certainly. But you’re right, somehow it reminds what real courage is: being honest, showing up anyway.
life changed when i figured out i just can’t find “God won’t give you more than you can handle” in my Bible. Of course He gives me more than I can handle. Most of life is more than I can handle so I can center myself on Him and learn to depend on Him for my strength, resources, guidance, and grow my faith. He is faithful and that is how and where i stand moment to moment.