10/12/2023
So very true ❤️
*Ways God uses Hardship for our Good*
-He strengthens us. Walking through the fire refines us. In the fire we may feel like we are the weakest we’ve ever been. But we will not be the same person walking out of the fire as we were walking in.
-We also become softer. Hardship tends to break our hard exteriors and facades. We get broken open and learn what real vulnerability is. We show more emotion, which leads to more connection with others.
-We become the person we needed (but maybe never had) to someone else. Because we understand, we can be both empathetic and helpful to those in similar positions in the future.
-He can use our suffering to strip us of idols, because when we hit bottom, we recognize those idols can’t save us.
-We are humbled. We have to ask for help. It sucks the pride out of us.
-He changes our perspective and priorities. Things of this world don’t matter as much. People and faith do. This can completely change our desires, our relationships and our focus.
-We learn to walk this life dependent on Him. He really does meet our needs and keep us going. He is our sustainer.
-We learn the real meaning behind “doing one day at a time.” Sometimes, it’s one hour or one minute at a time.
-He shows us what it means to be held and carried when we don’t have the strength to get up.
-He uses our suffering to light a new passion in our heart, which can lead to a new ministry in our life.
-He shows us how little control we have, which is scary. But He also comforts us by showing us He is in control, and there is relief and comfort in that.
-He puts people in our life we never would have met had we not walked through the hardship. Sometimes it’s in our suffering we meet some of the most important people in our lives.
-We learn how to recognize beauty even as we walk through the valley. Sometimes we learn to see beauty even more clearly in the valley than on the mountain tops.
-We meet Jesus in our suffering. Right smack dab in the middle of it. We get a better understanding of how He suffered, which helps us have more gratitude in our heart towards Him, and understand His great love for us.
-We become wiser. We learn from suffering and it benefits us in the future. We can share this wisdom with others.
-Suffering creates the greatest hunger for Truth. It makes us thirsty for living water. It makes us just want to be closer to Jesus.
-It produces endurance in our faith. We will be further equipped to fight future battles, because we can always look back on this and remember how God pulled us through.
-God can take our suffering, even the very worst of it, and turn it for His glory. He can use our suffering to be a light to others. It can leave people wondering, “how are they getting through this?” And we can point to Him.
-God shows us miracles. Sometimes miracles go ignored when we are doing well, but are so visible when we are suffering.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:
God does not send evil things into our life. That is not His character, that is not His heart. But He is SO good, that even in our hardship, He can work it, change it, turn it, for our good and for His glory.
Whatever you are going through, know that this isn’t the end. Yes, it hurts and you need to let yourself grieve and ache. But it’s not the end. He works in ALL things, and He works in ways we simply can’t comprehend.
Don’t give up. He is working on you right in this moment. You’ll see.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
~Kelli Bachara, The Unraveling Blog
**if you find yourself in a hard season and need some encouragement and guidance , check out these faith-based (printable) workbooks I created: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheUnravelingByKelli
