Hidden Treasure
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When trials come along - when we face hard situations - when we struggle with difficult health problems - when any kind of hardship is challenging us.....we have to endure and persevere. The temptation may be to try and ignore the situation or run the other way. We may want to shake our fist and complain about what is happening. But, like it or not, we have to face these things head on. Thankfully we don't have to go through them alone.
Enduring and Persevering doesn't just "happen." We have to choose in our hearts to go through whatever we are facing with our focus on the Lord and what He will teach us. It may be a day-by-day choosing as we face the hard things. There have been times when it was an almost minute-by-minute choosing!! It's really hard to persevere in the midst of the hard situations. But it's worth it - 100%, totally worth it.
In the midst of the hard things, there is hidden treasure. The more difficult the situation, the more treasure there is to be found.....especially in our walk with the Lord. It reminds me of Easter egg hunts when I was a child. Searching in the grass, in bushes, under logs, hidden in furniture - there would be beautiful Easter eggs to be found and put in my basket. My "basket" is full of treasures in my relationship with God. Drawing near to Him in the midst of difficulties has brought a richness of friendship that I don't know if I'd have found otherwise. He has taught me so many lessons. He has had higher purposes for me, and He has revealed His will to me of what He is doing through the suffering. I am blessed beyond measure!!
"Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9
"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life." James 1:12
"We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame." Romans 5:3-5
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." James 1:2,3
"For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised." Hebrews 10:36
"If we endure, we will also reign with Him." 2 Timothy 2:12
Everyone on this earth goes through hard times. In the storms of life, as we seek Him and persevere, He will pour out His mercy, grace, and strength. He is good and faithful.