The botox shots in my hand relieved the pain, but made it so weak that typing was difficult. I said goodbye to one problem and said hello to another. While my hand is weak, it is important that it is stretched out. While stretching, an unexpected problem came up. My knuckles started hurting. The doctor explained the knuckle’s muscles were not botoxed and therefore were pulling causing me pain. I was not prepared to welcome a new problem, but I did not have a choice! The story about me saying goodbye to one problem, but saying hello to some more illustrates our human lives. It seems as if we can never get ahead. Just as one problem leaves, another one comes.

Such a disappointing cycle can wear us out and rob us of the joy Christ meant for us to have. He did not die for us to be miserable entangled in a cycle that leaves us defeated. He died so we could be free and have joy. The next time we are caught in a “cycle” we were not prepared for, we can welcome our new problem with confidence that the Lord will use it for our good and His glory.

We love to say goodbye to a problem, but as a Christian who loves and trusts Jesus, we do not have a choice about saying hello to a few more.

Tracy Traylor is a religion columnist for the Laurel Leader-Call