You must be wondering to yourself, “What kind of question is that?” and “What do elephants have to do with what I am going through right now?” Well, just everything!!! Any huge project, problem or trial is an elephant of sorts. Sometimes we have a choice of whether or not to take on an elephant.

What about that project to start the business you’ve always dreamed of? What about that healthy diet to lose 25 lbs. or more and improve health? More exercise for your heart? Create a budget to get rid of credit card debt? Paint a room? If the project seems too big, often we don’t take the first bite.

But what about the ones that don’t give us a choice—our trials. Forget taking a bite, we are just trying not to get stepped on! Some of our elephants can be overwhelming, overpowering, even Mammoths. When faced with eating such huge elephants, where do we begin? With the tail? Too hairy. With the trunk? Too tough. With the belly? It ain’t happening!

When life seems overwhelming, we often wonder how we’ll overcome. Christ gives us hope and helps us face our trials.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

What a promise!

Ever had a huge elephant stampede right up to you demanding to be eaten? I have. This month nine years ago, a mammogram revealed that I had breast cancer. It was a gigantic elephant so big, there was no way this girl could slay it on her own. That same year I had 3 invasive breast surgeries. I received a melanoma diagnosis. And my best friend went to federal prison for embezzling thousands of dollars from me and my business. The surgeries left me with a nerve pain illness that the doctor says I will struggle with for the rest of my life.

Herds of elephants have trampled through my life and over the top of me, not just in 2011, but before and since then. Through it all, God has kept me safe and protected. He has been my strength when I have needed it, and He has carried me through the darkest times of my life. He has brought healing to my body, and comfort and peace for my weary heart and mind.

People are always saying that God doesn’t give us more than we can handle. They point to this scripture.

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able. But when you are tempted, He will provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

I know God gives us a way out when we’re tempted. But He also gives us a way out when we’re burdened, when we face problems, obstacles and even elephants way bigger than we are. HE’S THE ANSWER!! And we need Him.

I am here to tell you that I have definitely had more than I could handle. But it has never been more than my God could handle. Today I am 11 years cancer free, and thriving in His grace and mercy every day one day at a time as the elephants still linger around me.

Sometimes, doesn’t He give us more than we can handle on our own so we’ll learn to give it to Him? The Bible is full of great stories of how God helped others do things they couldn’t possibly have done on their own… slay a giant, outrun Pharaoh’s Army across the parted Red Sea, share a small lunch with 5,000, survive a den of hungry lions, live through a fiery furnace, and escape the stomach of a huge fish, just to name a few.

There’s help for conquering the elephants in our lives too! When God gives us grace, it is for each of us individually. It’s for today. One day at a time. One elephant at a time. One bite at a time. Don’t worry. There will be more grace for tomorrow and the day after that and forever!!

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39

There’s only one thing God can’t do and that is fail us!! I’m so glad He’s always there for His children. But we have to do our part. Sometimes that means He wants us to step out in faith—take the first bite.

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” St. Francis of Assisi

Do what you can, and give the rest to God. He is forever faithful, and a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

So, How Do You Eat An Elephant?

Only with God’s help… One Bite At A Time!! 

Dear Lord: Thank You for Your faithfulness, and for helping us as we face and endure the big things in our lives. Help us to remember that nothing is bigger than You, and nothing is impossible with You. May we hold to the hope that we profess because You promised in Your Word, and You are faithful to the ends of the earth and beyond. Give us courage to do all we can, one bite at a time. Give us grace to give the rest to You. Amen   

Are you facing a trial bigger than you? Are you finding that elephant is tough to chew? Is God helping you through one bite at a time? Please share your thoughts and experiences.

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. May God bless you and your family always.