Hold Firm to Your Faith

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;” Proverbs 3:5 NKJV

“4 months seems like 4 years but still feels like yesterday. Not a day or hour or minute goes by that we don’t feel the grief and loss. Grief is such a painful thing. Friends have become strangers and strangers have become great friends. If I had to choose between having 18 years with him and then this tragedy, or never having had him I would choose the 18 years and a lifetime of sorrow every time. Because I am such a better person having had him in my life. We miss you Jr Bobby.” Those were the words posted by my dear friend Stephanie Zevallos on February 5, 2025. When her son, Junior, died unexpectedly on October 5, 2024 after completing the Frog Hill Half Marathon, many lives were changed, especially those of his family. But that’s the thing about loss and grief, it won’t allow a person to stay who they are. They will either draw closer to Jesus and become better (more like Him) or will turn away from Him and become bitter. Thankfully, Stephanie chose to trust Jesus (as her whole family did) and now takes great comfort in the knowledge that her precious son is with the Father. 

And, you know, while you and I will never even begin to ‘understand’ why things such as this happen, we can find solace knowing that God’s ways are much higher than our ways and his thoughts much higher than our thoughts. Which is the very reason, in the good times and in the bad times, we must “trust in the Lord” with our WHOLE hearts. You see, it’s only when we choose to hold firm to our faith that we will “lean not” on our own understanding but confidently cling to our belief that God’s plan is better than ours… no matter how it might appear. It’s this faith, such as Stephanie and her family continue to display, that allows a person to rejoice over what God has given them, rather than lament over what was lost, since they know this separation is only temporary. 

So, if you’re experiencing grief, sorrow, or sadness today, hold firm to your faith and take heart in knowing that your Heavenly Father sees, knows, and cares about what you’re going through my friend. So much so that He has promised to bind up your wounds as He heals your broken heart. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for being the God who works all things for the good of those who love You and are called according to your purpose. Help us to remember that Lord as we look forward to the fulfillment of that precious promise when our hearts are overcome with grief and we can’t see any good coming out of our situation. Father, please remind us that death is not the end for the believer but only the beginning of a whole new life with You. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!