Blessings are also closer than they appear. We always hear "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" but I prefer what God says to us in James 1:2 "consider it all joy when you go through various trials". That always seemed like such an elusive thing to me. How can we be truly thankful for difficulties? The reality is that God gives us disappointments and trials to strengthen us, grow us and draw uscloser to himself. I used to wish I could shelter my children from all hurts, protect them from anyone being unkind to them, and that my bubble protection would make them stronger, more confident people. I didn't want them to have to burden hard things at a young age, when they were older they would be stronger, better able to face an unkind world ...I thought. But it doesn't work that way, only through adversity do we get stronger. |
Our oldest daughter has found her passion in the sport of Judo. She began three years ago, just slightly before her 17th birthday because a friend asked her to go along so they could both try it out together. It was difficult, the class was not one designed for teens. These two young girls walked into a class full of adults (mostly adult men) and no one intended on going easy on them. After a few months her friend decided it wasn't the sport for her but our daughter continued on. None of us knew it would grow to become her greatest passion. That first year was difficult. She came home bruised and woke up stiff and sore the mornings following training but she pressed on. She has won tournements and lost some as well, found that her weekly training strengthens her spine that is curved with scoliosis, and last week she earned her brown belt after much training and difficulty. None of her achievements in Judo happened by sitting on the sidelines watching the other Judokas. Her rise through the ranks came by much difficulty, struggle, and pushing herself beyond what she thought she could endure. She still comes home bruised and sore but she now appreciates the soreness because she knows it came from out of a hard training session. She celebrates her wins and views her losses as a way to grow and get better through learning from how her opponent bested her. Trials in our lives are exactly like that. God allows small hurts and disappointments to strengthen us for bigger things. He knows what we will have to face down the road and he lovingly gives us "exercise" through trials to strengthen our trust in him. When I see my adult kids facing big challenges, really hard oppression, I'm reminded of James 1:2 and suddenly I can be thankful for all the little hurts they faced over their lifetime, times when kids were less than kind, times when things didn't go the way they planned, all prepared them for the bigger challenges. If they had never faced unkind words or unfaithful friends they would not be able to stand under the strain of bigger trials. I finally see that God gives us such a blessing in putting us through the storm, while it doesn't feel good at the moment we can count it as joy, knowing that He does all things for our good. He can be trusted, he is good, even in the rain.
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About MeI'm Becca, a former chocolate junkie, herbal enthusiast, curriculum writer, homeschool mom to four active kids, wife to my jack of all trades hubby, blessed child of God. Archives
November 2018
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