Trials and Tribulations

God will use our trials to grow us and mold us.  When you are going through something that is weighing you down, just remember that God will work everything out for your good (Romans 8:28).  He will use every trial and bad circumstance in your life to mold you into the person He wants you to become.  He may use a trial to help you to learn patience.  Or you just might go through something that will enable you to show compassion and encouragement to others who are going through a similiar trial.  He not only works out everything for your good, but His plan for your future has always been filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."). 

Below is a devotional by the late Dr. Adrian Rodgers.  I hope this brings encouragement and comfort to your heart.

Seeing Problems as Potentialities

BIBLE MEDITATION: Nehemiah 2:20-“...the God of heaven, He will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build...”

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Do you have any problems today? You do? Well, I just have one word for you, “Congratulations!” I don’t want to sound flippant, but I am very serious about my comment. You see, a problem really is an opportunity in disguise. And you need to learn that God wants you to see your problems as potentialities and your adversaries as opportunities. A Christian is not someone who sees a difficulty in every opportunity, but to the contrary, he’s one who sees an opportunity in every difficulty.
Think of a problem you are struggling through today. Now, get on your knees.

ACTION POINT:
Ask God to show you the opportunity hidden away in your struggle that will bring Him glory.
-Devotional by Dr. Adrian Rodgers

One more thing I would like to share is this quote that I found years ago by Corrie Ten Boom that I absolutely love and believe to be true:

"Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see." -Corrie Ten Boom

I hope this has been an encouragement and blessing to you today.

God Bless!!  :o)