Miserable or Strong?

There came a point in my life when I finally, FINALLY, realized that I had control over my mindset and responses. I can either choose to see challenges, obstacles, hardships, whatever you want to call it, as unfair and life coming against me or I can choose to lean into it and come through better than I was when it started.

I had to accept that I couldn’t control bad things happening, but I could choose if the pain was going to be worthless and wasted or if it was going to strengthen me.

Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the LORD tested him.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭105:19‬

You see, we have big promises from God. Each one of us has a big calling. But those big promises are going to put us through testing. This verse is talking about Joseph. Before he became a leader in Egypt he was tested...betrayed by his brothers, unfairly accused and imprisoned, and forgotten by people that promised to help him. This whole process was building the strength and wisdom that he would need to save a whole kingdom from famine. It was equipping him to save the the people that would become Israel, God’s chosen nation and the ancestors of Jesus who would save the world. The promise was testing him, proving him, and preparing him.

I’ve been through enough that I refuse to waste my hurts. I want to be like Joseph and let God’s promises test and refine me. I’m not going to let my hardships be pointless. I can be stronger. I can be smarter, more compassionate, more deliberate. Oh, I can’t do this on my own. If it was just in my strength there are many days I would sit on the ground and throw a tantrum worthy of a toddler that has missed a weeks worth of naps. The only way I can lean into my struggles and find benefits from them is by relying on the perspective and power that only Jesus can bring me. He is the only one that can equip me to be satisfied and thankful in every situation.

Whether up or down, my life is beautiful and only becomes more so as I see the good in the bad and the joy in the midst of struggle. After all, He makes all things beautiful in their time.

#thesassysaint #happy #content #growth #mindset #bible #devotional #leadership #God #peace #joy #strong