Thank God for challenges...

          Sometimes in life things don't work out the way we had planned or hoped . . . they work out even better. We all have an idea in our minds of what we want, what we would like to see happen, even how. But life just doesn't always work out like that. Instead, we face challenges, opposition, frustration, stress. We feel abandoned, alone and even wonder if it's all worth it. But, at the end of the day, as a child of God, He never promised us an easy road . . . just the right one and the reward we would receive at the end of it. No, it's not an easy road. It is filled with ups and downs, discouragement, pitfalls, all the things we would love to avoid but can't. You see, all these negatives are a part of it. They're what make the journey a fulfilling one, if you can believe that. We would like everything to be wonderful and easy but it can't because then where would the learning be? Where would the growth be? How would we gain our strength?

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          One of the key things is that Jesus promised to never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5b). He would never abandon us and leave us alone when the chips are down. That's what others would do. He is with us for the long haul. Yet, on this challenging road, He is our Sustainer, our Strength, our Comforter, a very present Help in the time of trouble. And, He allows and uses every challenge that comes our way, even our faults, to bring us into our destiny, to mold and shape us, to help us be who He wants us to be. Perfection will not come when everything is going great, when everything is in order. Perfection comes through trials, testings, tribulations, faults, challenges, distresses. These are what the devil sends to bring us down and to destroy us. But these are also what our Heavenly Father uses to strengthen us, refine us, bring us into our destiny.

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          I have learned to thank God not just in spite of the negatives but for them. You see, I understand that these are the sandpaper I need to smooth away my rough edges, to make me into who He wants me to be. My God is able when I'm not. My God can when I can't. He will when I won't. It's ultimately about Him, His plan, His purpose, His will. And when it's about these, how can things not work out even better than I could have ever hoped, dreamed or imagined?!!!