The things we find difficult today will be the things that define us tomorrow

I know many of you are facing difficulties in your life that seem unbearable. Cancer. Infertility. Divorce. Just to name a few. But as I reflect back on my own personal struggles, I am incredibly grateful for each and every one. I’m not by any means advocating that I would want to go through them again…but I am thankful for how I grew.

Our faith in God is strengthened by enduring hardship and pain. How would we know if we could finish the race if we were too fearful to ever begin? Perhaps God uses struggles to reveal to us that yes, indeed, we can make it through. He will provide. He will be our strength. He will be our guide. 

One of my favorite passages of Scripture is found in Habakkuk 3. I love that despite the wretched circumstances, like no figs or food in the field (c’mon, you must admit–that would be bad)…God leads the way. Bringing us up above our small perspective, God gives us a brand new view. 

Though the fig tree should not blossom,
    nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
    and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
    and there be no herd in the stalls,
¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
    I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
¹⁹ God, the Lord, is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the deer’s;
    he makes me tread on my high places.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

No place is too dark to prohibit God’s light from illuminating the way

Many times we experience closeness to God in the midst of our adversity. It is during these times that we experience God in a whole, new way. Although fearful at first, we learn to walk by faith, not by sight. When God seems invisible, we discover He is there all along.  Seek Him today, my friend. He is waiting to take your hand.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. --Rev Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I am for you! And may you discover that God is a…

• shield to all those who take refuge in Him (2 Samuel 22:31)
• present help in time of need (Psalm 121:4)
• strong tower, the godly run to it and are safe (Proverbs 18:10).
• light, there is no darkness in Him (1 John 1:5)
• friend to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18)
• supplier for all of your needs (Phil 4:19)
• counselor to guide you through (Isaiah 9:6)

If we never faced hardship, we may never encounter how all things are possible with Him

How is God meeting your current need?