The pain is worth the blessing

• By candidasullivan
• February 24, 2023
• No Comments

It’s worth it, sweet friends. The pain, sweat, tears, and struggles are part of the journey. Each one is a stepping stone to becoming a better version of ourselves, and it’s all worth it when God blesses our efforts. 

When I started this journey, I could only lift my arms with no weights. But I still showed up and did what I could. I had worked so hard to build up to eight-pound weights when I fell and hurt my elbow. Then I had thumb surgery, and I started back at zero again. Mentally it was hard to watch the muscle I had worked so hard to develop waste away. My expectations of how long it would take to heal were wrong. I thought it would take two weeks, and it has taken years. 

This morning, God whispered for me to try heavier weights. Fifteen-pound weights, to be exact. My first thought was I couldn’t lift it. It’s too heavy for my hand. But I decided to try. 

And you know what? I did it. I did it. I lifted a weight I had considered off-limits to me. The more I walk through this life with God, the more I see God has no limits. 

I wanted to share this with you because it reminded me that God would bless our efforts when we consistently show up and do the work. 

We can’t lift a weight one time and expect to be strong. Just like we can’t read or Bible occasionally and wish to be spiritually strong. It all takes hard work and discipline. 

I believe the more often we show up, the more God will work on us. He wants to give us good gifts, but I think He wants us to try. 

My daily goal is to become a little better each day. I want to make progress. And when I break through a limiting belief, I feel so blessed. 

Sometimes I’m so awed that God takes the time to work with me. He’s with me on the bathroom floors when I’m lying in a puddle of tears. Jesus is with me in the gym when I’m trying to strengthen my body and mindset. He’s with me as I read my Bible and study His word. 

Overcoming what we once thought was impossible is such a blessing. It reaches into the deepest part of my soul and encourages and restores me. 

Today was another little stone of overcoming for me. I’ll put this victory with the others and praise my Lord every time I think about it. Not only did my Lord give me a thumb, but He helped it get a little stronger every day and blessed me in even more beautiful ways. 

Sweet friend, don’t give up if you are lying in your puddle of tears and feel as if you are drowning in your problems. Keep getting back up, trusting, and believing God will work it all out for you because He will. We must give Him time to mold us into someone who can receive the blessing. 

Even though it hurts so badly when God molds me, I am thankful for every touch of my Master’s hand. Praise God, I am not where I used to be. 

Things that help me daily. 

1. Journal about my thoughts, fears, and emotions. I always feel better after I get it all out of me.
2. Lifting weights helps me to feel strong. Walking with God allows me to see where my strength comes from.
3. Focusing on where I want to go and what I want to do with my life helps me stay on track. 

God is good! So good. I am so very blessed. 

Romans 8:28 KJV

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Have a beautiful day!