Recently I was able to overcome a situation that had me worn out physically and spiritually! It affected my physical life because I was allowing worry and stress to ware me down. It affected my sleep, my peace, and my joy. It affected me spiritually because I found myself asking God why and how He could do this to me when I was trying to live for Him. I couldn’t wrap my head around why someone who died for me could allow me to feel like I was dying from stress. After LOTS of prayer, surrounding myself with amazing people, and taking time for self healing I can share what my answer is now.

While I was busy soaking in a bath full of self pitty, I remembered one day, what Ecclesiastes 3:1 says… To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven… so I switched my focus. I started asking God, what are you trying to teach me? Instead of, what are you doing to me? It was almost instantly that God began teaching me through my situation instead of me feeling as if I was left out to dry for days!

See, I inspire to “work” for God. No, I don’t mean for money or a 9-5. What I mean is I want to do what God placed all of us on earth to do, be a disciple. I know that He’s placed me here for a leadership position and in order to get to that point, He needs to teach me things that I will need in the future. (Unless you are extremely fortunate to have wisdom beyond belief, the majority of us have to be taught in an area that we desire to grow in.)

I needed to learn patience, I needed understanding, I needed to remember where my peace and joy comes from, and so many more lessons I’ve been taught and I am still learning!

Maybe what God has planned for you is a 9-5 job that allows you to be a light in darkness, maybe you’re a janitor who is able to be a light to students, maybe you’re a boss to many people, or a doctor, or maybe you’re a student going to school to do whatever it is you and God desire you to do. I want to encourage you to try switching your hard times into lessons for your future; and not only yours, but someone else’s as well! See what God is trying to teach you through the hard time because you never know when you will have the missing piece to someone else’s puzzle.

Prayer – God, I would like to say thank you for guiding our paths. Thank you for teaching us in our daily walks what we need to know for our future. As odd as it may sound, thank you for hard times because it reminds us to look to you for guidance, comfort, and peace. I would like to ask that anyone reading this gets the fulfillment they are searching for through you. In Jesus name, amen.