Savoring the Sacred: Finding Strength in the Middle

*"O love the Lord, all you His godly ones! The Lord preserves the faithful [those with moral and spiritual integrity] And fully repays the [self-righteousness of the] arrogant. Be strong and let your hearts take courage, All you who wait for and confidently expect the Lord."*

*— Psalms 31:23-24 (AMP)*

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a new recipe, only to pause and see the mess piling up around you? Measuring cups scattered, dirty dishes in the sink, pots and pans stacked on the counter—it's all a bit overwhelming. The kitchen, once a place of excitement, now feels chaotic and messy, and you're tempted to just give up.

Yet, as you push through, something amazing happens. The dishes make their way to the sink, the food is put back in the pantry and fridge, and the stovetop begins to clear. As the mess fades, the anticipation grows. And then, that moment comes: you sit down, take that first bite, and suddenly, everything makes sense. The chaos was worth it. You savor every bite, a burst of flavor and satisfaction that makes the struggle worth it.

That's the picture I see when I think about being in "the middle" of life's challenges. The middle is messy. It's chaotic. At times, it can feel hopeless, like it would be easier to backtrack than to keep moving forward. But here's the truth: forward is where the reward lies.

To savor the sacred, you have to make it through the middle. You have to keep going to reach the other side. Imagine getting on a plane to your dream vacation and then asking the pilot halfway through to take you back home because you experienced a little turbulence. It sounds silly, doesn't it? Yet, that's often what we feel like doing when the middle gets tough.

The middle is heavy. The middle is hard. But the middle is also Holy. Jesus understands the sorrow and distress of the middle. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed to God, asking if the cup could pass from Him. But He didn't turn back. He went all the way, knowing what was at stake. Where would we be today if He hadn't?

Maybe you're in the middle right now. The middle of a huge decision. The middle of a breakthrough. The middle of your miracle. The middle of your destiny. It's tempting to give up, to turn back. But God calls us to be strong and take courage. The Lord preserves the faithful, and He will see you through.

God may not give you the full road ahead, but He's promised to be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path. Step by step. Moment by moment. He is with you, whether you feel His presence or not. If you can't trust fully, trust on the way. It's not easy, but He hasn't brought you this far to leave you now.

So, keep going. Push through the middle. The other side is worth it. Remember, you are loved. You are seen. You are strong.

The middle may be messy, but it's also where growth happens. It's where our faith is tested and strengthened. Just as the chaos of cooking leads to a meal worth savoring, the challenges of the middle lead to a reward worth waiting for.

I'm proud of your courage to keep going, and I'm proud of mine too. He's with us in the beginning, the middle, and the end. Get to the other side—it's going to be worth it.

**You are loved. You are seen. You are strong. #MinutesWithMandy #DareToBelieve**

This post resonates deeply with the experiences many face during their "middle" seasons, and it encourages readers to hold on to faith, knowing that the end result will be worth the struggle. The mix of personal reflection, biblical truth, and practical encouragement will connect with your audience and perform well in search engines.