Last weekend a friend asked me if I’ve ever felt inadequate.
My mind immediately flashed back to memories (Of which I’m not so fond of reliving ) of the first year working at my “big girl” job in NYC:
-When I was put on a” learning plan” during my quarterly review
-When I was reprimanded by my boss for sending an unedited email to 150+ employees and leadership
– When my boss looked disappointingly at me because I couldn’t produce a pivot table on excel as quickly as my other colleagues
– the first time my idea was rejected at a meeting
Any normal person wants to fast forward through times of pain, rejection, loss, etc. but suffering ripens the fruit!
These experiences bring us closer to God, and are all part of His sovereign plan for us. He is in every detail every season every moment of our lives- even the messy ones!
These experiences also enable us to better empathize and support those around us going through similar struggles.
Pastor Rick Warren says here– our tests become our testimonies and our messes become our message.
If you currently find yourself going through it- I want to encourage you to:
1.Hold onto your Hope
God is going to use this adversity to create some of the most powerful chapters in your life narrative!
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God”- 2 corinthians 1:3-4
2. Remember His promise
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
3. Pray Pray.. and then Pray some more
Ask God to show you why you’re going through XYZ and ask Him to send to the Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthen you while getting through it.
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me”. Psalm 23:4
Be brave, be bold, and share your testimony when you feel led to do it!
4. Remember This Too Shall Pass
“No valley goes on forever. We walk through the valley of the shadow of death. God knows what we can endure. He will not let us be tempted or tested beyond what we can bear. The deliverance we seek may be subject to delay, but we must never doubt that our day will come. “Weeping may remain for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). Sorrow has its time to be, but God will mitigate the tears when their work is done. Those who mourn will be comforted. There will be an end”- David Roper
From my heart to yours,
Grace
