Signora Sheila

A few summers ago I participated in Plastic Free July, which was initiated to help people reduce their plastic waste. Especially plastic packaging and single-use items. And while it may seem strange, it made me think of God’s care! “So,” you ask, “what does plastic have to do with this?” (And no, I haven’t gone around the bend!)

The dilemma bag for trash

The goal of this month-long challenge was to eliminate as much plastic waste as possible. Any plastics that came into our homes had to be put into our “Dilemma Bag” and kept until the end of the month.

This was to help us see the huge amount of plastic waste there is. And to realize that it’s a dilemma in need of solutions.

Most plastics are disposable items that end up in landfills. Only some gets recycled into durable items for long-term use. And plastic can only be recycled so many times anyway. This creates a dilemma for us and for the planet.

It was the Dilemma Bag that got me thinking. It was a great tool to raise our awareness about plastic waste. And to remind us that recycling (though only a partial solution) is actually a civic duty. Because then at least some of our trash hopefully becomes useful items.

Life’s dilemma bag!

Life is much like this. Just as various types of trash come into our homes, all kinds of experiences enter our lives. Happy, tender, and joyful moments.

As well as sad, depressing, and desert-like times. Moments when we could use a dilemma bag! A place to stuff our problems and get rid of them. An escape from the confusion and the heaviness. 

But we don’t get a dilemma bag in life. There is no place to dispose of the hard times, the problems. We just have to accept them, deal with them, and move on.

But God…

The Lord is with us even in the bad times, when it seems that life is overflowing with problems and garbage. And no disrespect intended, but in a way God is our dilemma bag.

We can take all of our trials, difficulties, and dilemmas to Him. And while He may not remove them, He takes everything that seems grievous and harmful – and turns it into beauty.

He transforms our difficulties into lessons that help us grow and change. Situations that test our faith and help us trust Him. That teach us compassion for others. That help us choose right living. And that gradually change us into new creations in Him.

Only God can take all the garbage that comes into our lives and and turn it into beautiful useful lessons for our hearts and souls!

Signora Sheila

The situations we face in life often bring debris like despair, depression, doubt, hate, fear, and unforgiveness that trash our hearts.

But thankfully, we have a spiritual dilemma bag called prayer. And when we take everything to God in prayer, He can take all that junk and transform it into steadfast faith.

I didn’t do too well with that Plastic-Free July for various reasons. Mostly because of a stay in America to care for my mom. But I keep working on it and have made some progress.

Now, if only I could get better at clearing all the garbage out of my heart. But since I’m not always good at that either, I’m thankful that God helps me clear it all out and grow strengthen my faith.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

James 1:2-4

📷 Image credits: blue bag