I was thinking today, about being thankful for the hard things.
It is hard to be thankful when someone you love is in the middle
of a personal crises, and all you can do is stand by and watch.
My least favorite place to be. So this morning as I was praying
and trying to be thankful and try and see the good in this
situation, as the song says, I started trying to "count my blessings
one by one."
What I thought about is without hard things, I never notice the beauty
of the early morning sunrise. I never notice the red of the last leaves,
that have fallen as they lay upon the grass.
Without the hard things, I don't notice the little ways that people around
me show me love. It is only when someone I love hurts, that I see the love
I live with every day but take for granted.
Without clouds, we would never get rain. Without rain,
we would live in a desert. Then we would never see the
green of life. Rain brings cleansing and refreshment. The
same comes I think from the trials that are allowed. Then
I experience the sweetness of the joy of the evening sunset.
I think trials narrow my vision. One of the many
quotes I have used in my trials are these.
"If God is almighty, there can be no evil so great as
to be beyond His power to transform. That transforming
power brings light out of darkness, joy out of sorrow, gain
out of loss, life out of death." (Elisabeth Elliot)
Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden, and they
shall sorrow no more at all. (Jeremiah 31:12)
I have not yet learned to find joy in my sorrows.
When I feel disappointed in someone, It's usually due to my
expectations rather that their actions.
Anxiety is the opposite of peace. To overcome it I must remain in
the presence of God.
So today, I am thankful for the hard things, because they
seem to make my vision clearer, my loved ones more dear.
They make laughter more vibrant. The trials make
the touch of God more real and His Word more alive.
Trials cause me to run back to God from the places I have
strayed. They make a touch, a word, a smile, seem to be magic.
I have come to realize without the pain of life, I never know joy.
So today, I am thankful for hard things, because in them I find
the joy of life.
~Kim~
12 comments:
and i am thankful for your wisdom. i am speaking
to my soul like that.
"why so downcast, oh my soul? put your trust in
God."
blessings,
lea
Kim, That is all so very true. As we get older we do see things clearer and appreciate little things more. If it were not for the death of dear friends, I would not appreciate each new birthday. If it were not for Mom's illness I would not cherish this morning's hug so deeply or appreciate the trials and struggles that others around me may hold in silence.
I am right there with you, kim. The Lord has taught (and is teaching) me much about being thankful in the midst of the trials...count it all joy!! He is faithful and I am beginning to see His threads weave together for the good and for His glory in some pretty trying circumstances. Thank you for this encouragement today!
Kim, no truer words that this. Trials make us more appreciative,more feeling, stronger, wiser and I think once we come through them we appreciate all those things. It is so hard to see that in the moment but knowing that it will make us stronger is the part that gets me through. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me is one of my favorite verses and it is so true :)
Yes, it's me Valerie from It's Only 100 Pounds and Losing 10 Pounds Again. I always am so moved by your words and get so much out of your post. I missed you and look forward to following again.
So well said and I so agree!! I am starting to see how precious those times are because they tend to give light to everything...I become more grateful and more dependent on Him.
I love the hymn you started with,"Count Your Many Blessings, Name them One by One...so you see what the Lord has done."
I also keep saying, "His ways are higher than mine"...so that I release my trust to Him through the trials of my own or watching someone else.
I enjoyed this post!!! Counting my blessings......
If there wasn't rain, there wouldn't be a rainbow!
I'm sorry someone dear to you is having troubles. But I'm glad you can lift yourself from it and find the joy and love all around you. Hugs!
This was a good reminder for me today. The verses in Daily Light today were the ones from John, when Jesus is praying the high priestly prayer. It was encouraging to me to know that Jesus himself was praying for me at that moment. I think it's been a better day because of it.
Oh I so agree with every word you've written here. It has certainly been a lesson I have learned through this last year with the breast cancer and health issues I dealt with. The harder the times, the stronger the dependence became, and the more and more I appreciated all He has really done for me. He proved faithful through it all and for that I will be forever humble and grateful. His mercy and His peace have become my companions this year in ways I didn't know were possible. Yes, the hard times truly are something to be thankful for. Hope you had a good day. HUGS
I totally agree with you on this one. I think during the hard times it is one of the most important things to do.
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