Are you going through a very difficult time? Does it seem purposeless and unneeded? Is it a time of questioning what God is doing–or even questioning God’s wisdom and sovereignty? 

We’ve all been there at one time or another. Such is life, yet at the time of the struggle, we think life is unfair and out of control. And yes, maybe even out of the control of God. Why would He want us to go through this pain?

A few weeks ago I had the joy of reconnecting with a good friend and when I asked her how things were going, she told me life was really hard. More specifically, she explained, her job was in transition and she faced some major challenges. 

Then she said, “But guess what? God prepared me to walk through this seven years ago. At that time, I spent a year of agony working for a person who made my life miserable. I couldn’t imagine that it could be any worse. It might have been the most horrible time of my life and I wondered what God was doing.

“But now I know. That year of being challenged prepared me for moving through this current difficult time with grace and confidence. It all makes sense now and God has shown Himself faithful.”

I was so happy for my friend. It’s not always that we get to see the purpose of the things we’re going through. Most often, we have to live by faith, trusting that God knows what He’s doing.

So be encouraged. You may not see the Big Picture but God does. He knows exactly what He’s doing and the purposes for His glory and your good that He’s accomplishing. The stepping stones of challenge that He lays before us become the pathways for transformation. And He always appreciates “small steps.” Zechariah 4:10 says, “For who has despised the day of small things?”

And remember the wonderful promise of Jeremiah 29:11: “‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'”

I hope that you can look back through the pages of your challenges and see God’s hand. I’d love to hear from you–if you’d make a comment, even briefly. 

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