Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Blessings in the Hard Days


These past 9 months have been particularly hard for me. If you’ve been following my blog, you know that I had a small “crash,” as we call it, this winter. I have been recovering since March, but it is slow going. Based on past experience it will be another 6-12 months before I know how much strength and energy I am able to regain. These extra tired days have been hard, both for me and for my family. There have been many naps, a lot of rest, tears, tiredness, questions, and few answers. But there has also been a lot of joy and laughter, prayer and perseverance.

As I reflect on this year so far, I see that there is so much to be thankful for in the midst of, and even because of, hard things in life. Here are some of the good things that come from my struggle with dysautonomia:

  • I learn perseverance and grow in maturity.
  • Godly character is being produced in me.
  • I have a constant reminder of my need for God.
  • Trials cause me to look to Jesus for help and strength.
  • Failing health is a reminder that this world is not my home.
  • I develop patience.
  • I learn humility.
  • I receive comfort from God and learn how to comfort others.
  • I have opportunities to share the gospel and minister to others in ways I could not if I were healthy.
  • Servant’s hearts are being developed in William and Adelaide as they help me and love me.
  • William and Adelaide learn patience and compassion.
  • The gospel is put on display as Will takes care of me and loves me as Christ loved the church.
  • God is glorified when I remain faithful in the midst of suffering.

Life is hard, but if you know Christ, then you have hope and reason to rejoice in suffering!

“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).

What good things have you seen come out of trials and hard times?

3 comments:

  1. Thank you! The respite morning for families sounds like a wonderful ministry. I'm sure it is very much appreciated by families affected by disability.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...