Don’t get over them. Don’t rush through them or past them. Rejoice in them.
Jesus was described as “a man of suffering who knew what sickness was” (Isaiah 53:3). Christ Himself learned obedience through His suffering (Hebrews 5:8). And so it is for us. It is from those dark yet fertile valleys that steadfastness begins to spring forth—first sprouting from faith, then budding into love, and flowering into patience and joy.
Today, or tomorrow, or whenever you find yourself in a place of trial—do not minimize it or rush through it. Instead, give thanks to the Lord. Pray for endurance and steadfastness from the One who has already endured and proven Himself steadfast. As backwards as it may feel, this difficult trial or painful suffering is a time to thank the Lord. This is the time to rejoice. We do not rejoice because bad things happen, or because this poor, fallen world is full of death, injustice, and sorrow. No. We rejoice because the sovereign Lord calls us His own. He loves us enough to descend with us into the dark yet mysteriously fertile valleys, to produce in us a steadfastness which cannot be shaken. "Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”- James 1:12
Mose loved every second of his 4 months and 13 days on Double B Farm. He worked hard by making every lap the farmer made on the tractor. He joyously chased birds and curiously aggravated the cows. Mose loved snuggling by us during date nights while grilling on the porch. He lived life to the fullest and proved that the farmer's wife truly could love a 4-legged furry piece of God’s creation! Today has been a sad, dreary day at J.C. Bailey farm and pulling up to the farmhouse won’t be quite the same. I am so thankful Jesus catches every tear and fills my heart with peaceful promises.
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