★ Thought for the Day – STRENGTH FOR THE STRUGGLE ★

I am excited to have a special guest share how God gave her strength during a season of struggle.  Thanks, Kim from facebook.com/FitFamilyFaith.

Have you ever heard the quote, “I am thankful for my struggle because without it I would not have stumbled across MY strength.”  I’d like to edit it just a bit.

“I am thankful for my struggle because without it I would not have stumbled across God’s strength.”

Health and fitness were always a passion of mine and my health was not something I worried about. I felt physically strong, ate the right foods and exercised 5 times a week.  However, my life and my family’s life were completely turned upside down when I went through a season of illness as a result of Lyme’s Diseases. The illness left me physically at my weakest point in my life. However, through this season, my family and I craved God and His Word like never before. We were completely dependent on Him. Although I grew up going to church, I believe that I grew stronger in the Lord during that season than in all the years preceding that. It was only God’s strength that carried me through those difficult days. I often tell others that though I was at my weakest physically, I never felt stronger spiritually. I praise God for the works He did in me and my family through that time.

We ALL go through seasons of struggle in our lives.  They come in different forms, but the best way to get through them is the same. GOD’S STRENGTH.  Here are some things I learned that I pray can help you to hold onto if you are in the midst of a difficult season:

• God promises to never leave us or forsake us. He is right there beside us, whatever we go through. How comforting!  Deuteronomy 31:6 says:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

• God can bring something good out of the situation. As it says in Romans 8:28, God causes ALL things to come together for good to those who LOVE Him and are called according to His purpose. Trust God because He is using your current situation to mold you into something beautiful!  What was meant for harm, God can turn around and use for His good!  Genesis 50:20a says:

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good…”

• God uses trials to refine and mold us to make us more like Him.  I came through this storm a much different person than the one I was going into it.  I have a stronger faith, a deeper compassion for others and try to make the most of every opportunity because I know each day is a gift and my priorities are very different now.

• The things we go through in this life are temporary, but we can have hope in eternal things. John 16:33 says

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  

Whatever you are going through today, lean into God and rely on His strength.  Arm yourself with Bible verses that you can speak out loud and pray when doubts and worries creep in. (Below are some verses that helped me.)

Praise God, He has restored my health and I am able to resume my passion of fitness again, but my goals are very different now.  I view it a gift that I must steward and use for His glory.  My mission is more about forming relationships and using my story to help others who may be going through struggles of their own.  I can say with confidence that I am thankful for my struggle because without it I would not have stumbled across GOD’S STRENGTH.

Be Blessed!

Kim

http://www.facebook.com/FitFamilyFaith

INSTAGRAM: @fitfamily_faith

If you would like to read more on this topic, check out:

★ Thought for the Day – What Does God’s Love Mean? ★

 

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