We just finished our first series here at A Steady Rain. The Hidden Blessings series shared a variety of stories by several women. We read about health struggles, loss, tragedy, and valleys. Each of them ended with a renewed view of who God is and how He had used that trial to sharpen and strengthen their faith.
But, I'm sure there are some of you who read the series and said to yourself,
"Well, that's a great testimony of God's goodness, but I'm still in the midst of the storm in my life. I haven't come out on the other side yet! I haven't found any Hidden Blessings anywhere!"
What then?
My mother-in-law mentioned this verse recently....
Hebrews 12:11
"Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
Notice scripture doesn't say that we will find blessings or joy during the trial, instead it specifically says afterward we'll see the fruit from our steps of faith.
None of the women who shared in our series would say that their journeys were fun or easy. None of them would even specifically choose that road again. Valleys are NEVER fun!
It's vital to hide His Word in our hearts because when the dark clouds of difficulty come, all we can do is cling to those promises.
We won't necessarily feel our "spiritual muscles" strengthening during the trial, but when it is done, we'll see a stronger faith than before.
But, I'm sure there are some of you who read the series and said to yourself,
"Well, that's a great testimony of God's goodness, but I'm still in the midst of the storm in my life. I haven't come out on the other side yet! I haven't found any Hidden Blessings anywhere!"
What then?
My mother-in-law mentioned this verse recently....
Hebrews 12:11
"Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
Notice scripture doesn't say that we will find blessings or joy during the trial, instead it specifically says afterward we'll see the fruit from our steps of faith.
None of the women who shared in our series would say that their journeys were fun or easy. None of them would even specifically choose that road again. Valleys are NEVER fun!
It's vital to hide His Word in our hearts because when the dark clouds of difficulty come, all we can do is cling to those promises.
We won't necessarily feel our "spiritual muscles" strengthening during the trial, but when it is done, we'll see a stronger faith than before.