When life stings

I have so many things to be thankful for.  A wonderful, supportive, loving, kind, compassionate husband who daily reassures me of his love for me and our family and seeks to lead us as God leads him.  Three amazing, ornery, smart, and sweet little boys who drive me crazy and challenge me often, but who I love and wouldn't change for the world.  A new addition on the way...of the female gender, and who our family can't wait to meet, hold, cuddle, and love.

I have parents, siblings, in laws, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who love and support us and God's call on our family even from a distance.  They encourage and pray for us, and we are so thankful.  We have students that I think the world of.  They rub my belly, stop by our house, and have grown deeper in their faith before our eyes.  I have sweeter friendships than I have ever experienced in this life.  Godly women who I can laugh and cry with, pray and study with, and enjoy doing life with.

I have a roof over my head, food to eat, money to pay our bills, a car to drive, and clothes to wear (although, admittedly, they are getting a little snug in the belly region...hmmm....wonder why that is?).

When I think about all the good gifts the Lord has given me, it's easy to love Him.  To serve Him.  To offer Him praise.

But, what about the times when life hurts?

My little sister is suffering with the sudden loss of her father-in-law.  My sweet friend is walking through the illness of a grandparent and another of a spouse.  I have a heaviness in my own spirit and some things that I am struggling with daily.  What about then?

God is teaching me just how much He can teach me during the times when life stings.  Its a choice I have...to wallow in self-pity, asking "Why? Why, me? Why now? Why this?"  Or, to trust in Him and His plan and His sovereignty, even when I don't understand why. 

When I was growing up, I remember hearing about God taking people to the woodshed.  I've had a similar experience this week.  I'm so thankful that God disciplines those He loves (Rev. 3:19).  He revealed to me that I've had the wrong mindset about trials, temptations, and thorns.  His Word tells me that if I want to follow Him, I must pick up my cross DAILY (Matt. 16:24).  He also promises that His power is made perfect in my weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).  He tells me that He knows the plans He has for me (Jer. 29:11) and that He will work all things together for my good (Rom. 8:28).  I could go on.

The point is, who would each of us be without the trials, tribulations, and thorns that come into our lives?  As a teenager, our family went through a pretty rocky time.  Yet, so many times, I've heard my mom say that she is thankful, because it was during that time that Jesus became real to us.  Its often at the point where we reach the end of ourselves and have no other option other than to trust in the Lord that He becomes real to us. 

I am working my way through the "Brave" Bible study by Angela Thomas, and this week has been all about thorns in life.  So, in closing, here are a few things that have really stuck out to me. "Do you need a fresh reminder of God's grace for your thorn?  Sufficient means God is enough - not almost enough or barely enough but fully and completely enough. ...God wants us to see His power.  He wants us to worship Him as master of every circumstance.  He wants us to trust that His power is being perfected through us. ...God is all-powerful, and when He brings His power to your weakness, buckle up.  You will see mountains move and hearts of stone made new."

Yes, Lord.  Today I choose to walk in Your truth.  Even though life stings sometimes.