People with strongest faith tested hardest

link Christina Calloway

Staff columnist

The joy of the lord is my strength. You’re reading that right. I know it’s not Friday and I’m not trying to contend with our lovely religious columnists, but today, I’m going to take you to church.

My family endured a couple of rough weeks with two deaths on my father’s side. Death often makes us question our own existence and our religious beliefs. I think we all try to make sense of the situation and it’s hard not to be upset with God’s will. It’s like taking one on the chin when people say things happen for a reason.

While I was at the gym last week, working off sorrow, a gospel song by Yolanda Adams entitled “In the Midst of it All” played.

Immediately tears began flowing from my eyes, sliding down my cheeks and falling onto the elliptical handles. I really didn’t care if anyone was staring.

The song reminded me that God will keep me, not because of all the things I do, good or bad, but simply because he loves me. But more importantly, he’s keeping me together because it’s not about me; it’s about my family. If I’m composed, I can be strong and be strong for them. Looking through the recent photos as my family members reunite on the coast, they’re no longer mourning, they’re celebrating the lives of my great-aunt Esperanza and my aunt Diane.

The people I know with the strongest faith have been tested the hardest.

Christina Calloway writes for

Clovis Media Inc.