Read This Only If You’re Discouraged

country road 1b

If there has been one request that has been repeated in my prayers it has been, “God use my life!” I truly desire that my days and years count for Christ. I want treasures to lay at His feet. I want to make a difference in others’ lives for the sake of eternity. But the means in which God will accomplish that request has not been part of my request. You see, God’s school is often through hardship, trials and difficulties. Who wants that?

Did Jonah enjoy the fish’s belly?

Was the widow woman excited about having only one more portion of food left for her and her son?

Did Moses relish being berated by his own people?

Did Elijah’s bucket list include being chased by a wicked queen?

Was Paul looking for people to persecute him?

The answer to all of these situations is, “Of course not!” But the result of every one of those trials was that God used them in mighty ways! It came after. After what?

After a mess.

After being frighteningly low on daily provision.

After ugly threats.

After pain.

Then blessing came. Then provision. Then nearness to God. Then usefulness. Then their stories were written in Scripture for our encouragement. Then they became our examples, our heroes!

If you’re in a difficult time right now, let me share a truth with you that I heard Sunday night from one of our dear missionaries –

The most important thing that God wants to accomplish
through you might still be in your future!

What if our Bible heroes had quit during their hardship? We wouldn’t have their example, and God couldn’t have used them to encourage us and bring glory to Himself. What if you and I quit in the midst of our trial? We, too, could miss out on the most important thing God wants to do in our lives.

So…