Some seasons in life are hard to go through. These can either rob our joy, discourage us, drain our hope, cause us to withdraw and be tempted to give up completely. Or, we can look to Christ as our hope and Rock, we can reach out to Him and see that the difficult times, too, are used for good. In fact, we can be thankful for them. Trials can bring opportunity to grow and be transformed into being more like Christ: putting to death our contrary, fleshly self (which will rise up, guaranteed) and yielding ourselves wholly to the Holy Spirit. We can choose obedience out of love and faithfulness to God and in view of Jesus' example to us. It's seeing what He says to do, and instead of following our own will, desires, and 'intellect', we surrender, humble ourselves, and listen to and rely on what He has shown us to do; and in our weakness, He empowers us through His Spirit. He is our strength when we have none. In everything we face, we have a chance to believe what God's truth and greatness over what we see. Hard times drive us to rely on the Lord, to acknowledge how much we need Him, and our faith can grow and mature (especially when we struggle through doubt or uncertainty). It sends us to our knees, it humbles us and reminds us of how desperately we need God while at the same time reminding us who He is in that: He is able, He is sufficient, He is the answer, He is all we need, and He is worthy of our full trust. We grow through testing, we are refined by the 'fire', and we endure discipline because God as our Father loves us. In all of this, ultimately this is not about the situation, trial, or season: it is about our heart in that. It's about exalting God as Lord over everything in our lives. It's about our relationship with God deepening, knowing Him more, and joining in with the work He wants to do in and through us during that time. It's about drawing near to God's heart. We will fail and struggle and go through repentance and need grace; and He will remain unchanging, gentle, patient, faithful, strong, and present every moment of the way. God doesn't give up, and He never fails. He works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to -His- purpose (Romans 3:23). Whatever lows and valleys I may journey through in life, not only I can have peace and joy knowing God is with me, but my deepest desire is to become more Christlike and ultimately for God to be glorified. Because anything praiseworthy or good that has ever happened in my life is because of Him. I know if God can take my mess and redeem it, He can do that for you, for anyone. I can't help but say to anyone who's having a hard time or losing hope, there is hope. Hope is found in Jesus, He is my living hope. Take your eyes off of the mess and look to Christ. Draw near, because He is present. He is able. He is compassionate and mighty. He will sustain you through anything, and His love is strong. He may not always take away the trial, but He will be with you through it, He will be your strength, and He never fails. I have to remind myself of this constantly, but it never loses its truth. I'm smiling today and saying this because I had a choice to make, and I've chosen joy in the midst of this season and Jesus is the sole reason why I can. That is a testimony in itself, and I am sure at the end of this, all glory will be His because I'm putting all my trust in Him, and I believe He will be faithful. He always is.
