Hidden Treasure

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.

Mountain Tops and Valleys

I was looking at a magazine this week.  A well known author and filmmaker was talking about his success.  He said the big secret to success is that you have to persevere.  I immediately thought that the Christian life is just like that.  We have ups and downs, mountain tops and valleys, good times and hard times, sickness and health, times of plenty and times of need - and through it all we have to persevere!  We can't give up!  We have to keep going and lean into God to get us through whatever time or season we're in.

I think I've experienced all the "times" I listed above in recent years.  I could not have made it without God's grace and strength.  But over and over I had to commit my heart to persevere.  I think that was key to making it.  

It's important to differentiate between striving and persevering.  Striving is done in our own strength - persevering is trusting the Lord to come along beside us and help us make it through.  His grace truly is sufficient when we need it in the tough times.

When it's hard, and I feel like I'm not quite measuring up - perhaps even feeling like I'm a failure - it's important to bring those feelings to the Lord.  He is there to show me the way - to correct me if needed - to encourage me - and to affirm me of His love and care for me in the hard situation.  I couldn't have made it without His loving help.

"Deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love."  Psalm 6:4

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."  Proverbs 3:5

"What shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?"  Romans 8:31

"Thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."  1 Corinthians 15:57

"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."  Deuteronomy 31:8

"Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge."  Psalm 62:8

Someone said to me recently that they were surprised at all the difficult things they were facing.  Things had been good for so long that they never anticipated the hardships that suddenly seemed to engulf them.  Perhaps we can all relate to that in some way.  The "hard things" often surprise us.  But God is with us.  As we choose to persevere, He'll help us in every way that we need.  He's so faithful!