“‘For I know the plans I have for you,”  declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” Jeremiah 29:11

Blessings in Trials

I recently saw this quote: “Spiritual blessings come wrapped in trials.” I’ve been pondering all the blessings God has brought into my life on the unexpected journey we’ve been on. As we begin this new year, I’ve been reflecting on all He has done in the previous year. He’s been so faithful. I got so excited when I started thinking of all the good and wonderful things that God has brought into my life: blessings wrapped in trials.

–  The trials have “pressed” me deeper in my walk with Him in order to survive.
–  Through that has come a precious intimacy with the Lord.
–  And along with it has come unexplainable joy in the midst of the trials.  “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer in all kinds of trials” (1 Peter 1:6).
–  God’s Word, His promises have taken on new depth and such personal meaning to my heart.
–  There has been a clear sense of God carrying me through the hard times and holding my hand. “I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
–  In the midst of the storms, there has been a “peace that passes understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
–  There has been a release of sweet, deep, personal worship.
–  I continually hear Him speaking encouragement into my heart and mind.
–  He has become my constant counselor. “I will counsel you with My loving eye on you” (Psalm 32:8).
–  In my “aloneness” my friendship with the Lord has grown so much deeper.
–  I have experienced new, greater, deeper levels of His powerful sustaining grace.
–  He has given me sufficient strength on my weakest of days. “God’s power is made perfect in our weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
–  He has healed my heart on days when my heart could only weep.
–  He has collected my tears in a bottle. “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book” (Psalm 56:8).
–  He has renewed my strength and energy after I had gone so, so low.
–  He continually lifts my head when it droops from weariness. “But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head” (Psalm 3:3).
–  He carries my burdens that at times seem too heavy to bear.
–  He relieves my anxieties if my mind wanders into fields of worry. “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (I Peter 5:7).
–  I’ve experienced new depths of trust. I never knew it was possible to trust so deeply and intensely.
–  I knew He was faithful, but He has exceeded all my expectations.
–  He has helped me have patience when mine was all used up.
–  He has renewed my hope when my hope dimmed. The wick of hope may flicker, but it won’t be quenched if we keep our focus on Him.
–  He has given me sweet “gifts” to warm my heart—whales, rainbows, beautiful sunsets, and even a huge owl flying right by my window.
–  I’ve been carried by the prayers of others in ways I never dreamed possible.
–  Friends (both near and far) have loved and supported me at new depths. Friendships have become one of my sweetest treasures.
–  Friends, and even complete strangers, have helped provide for us. Early on God spoke to my heart that He would take care of us in our old age. “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you” (Isaiah 46:4).

I don’t know what’s ahead.  My life could end tomorrow.  But, if so, it would be with my heart full of gratitude for God’s faithfulness and goodness.  He has poured a multitude of blessings into my life on this unexpected journey.

“Lord, may we each find Your blessings in the trials that will come to us this year.”