Each and everyday I read of friends, family members and acquaintances who are going through very hard times. Whether it's a death of a loved one, a cancer diagnosis, a divorce, financial difficulties, or just a difficult life trial, people are hurting. Heart break is so real...
My heart aches with those who hurt. I find myself thinking of them frequently and praying for them even more. Heartache and pain is such a difficult part of our lives. It stretches our boundaries and faith so far, that sometimes that we feel we may break. It often reveals our true character and can often reveal things about ourselves that we didn't know were there.
Every time I have went through a difficult trial, situation, relationship trials, etc., it has grown me, stretched me, strengthened me, and it's even molded me.(do what?).
Molding me.....yep, I think that may be the grander purpose behind it all. He is molding us... He is stretching us so that we will be molded more like his image. He is molding us into who HE wants us to be.
I don't always understand the purpose in death at a young age, I don't always grasp why a young mother is diagnosed with cancer, and I always have a difficult time understanding why good people suffer while the wicked prosper. But I do understand that God is so good, that he loves us farther than the stretches of our imagination, that he hurts when we hurt, that he catches every tear. This World is NOT our home, we are simply just a vapor passing through. When we start to realize this, our focus tends to shift. As great as it is to find true happiness and joy, I have come to realize that my happiness is not my purpose. My purpose is to share His love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness with as many as I can....he IS Molding ME!! My purpose is to serve Him and others, which is my whole reason for returning to school.
I have hurt...some has been brought on by others, some has been self inflicted. But one thing I know is God has always been there. He has been the one who calmed my anxious heart and soul when I was alone, He has held me when I cried because I felt so alone and empty, and He has always been the one who turned my pain into something good. There was a time that I had no idea what I would do with my life, I was lost and alone...he brought me to nursing. There was a time when my heart ached through miscarriages, and he brought me my precious Halle. He has always provided a way for me to share my hurt, grief, and pain with others, which in some way was a comfort to them. These difficult times were also faith building, life changing, and hope increasing.
There is a saying "Live for today, yesterday is gone and tomorrow isn't here yet"
But I choose to say, I live for the day that Jesus returns. I am so ready to spend eternity in a place with no more tears, no more hurt, no more evil, no more cancer, no more death, and no more goodbyes. But until that day, I will share is GREAT LOVE, his unending grace, his unbelievable forgiveness, and the very undeserved mercy! He loves us all, even in the middle of our breaking hearts....
"Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets, end up on a deathbed of regrets." (2 Corinthians 7:10 MSG)