What will you do with the pain, disappointments, and fears?

I used to spend my mornings crying. After my husband went to work and my kids went to school, I had all day to wallow in my misery and worry about my future. It’s hard to explain such a level of sadness. Every ounce of hope I gathered got snatched away from me.

I looked at my boys and desired so badly to be able to raise them. But I knew I was so sick. My whole body felt inflamed and painful. I couldn’t work, sleep, or function. I didn’t know what to do. So I spent a lot of time crying and praying.

As I lay in bed one day, covered in tears and more sorrow than my heart could handle, I asked God to help me. I told Him that if He would help me, I would pay it forward and help others.

God did His part, and I show up every day to do my part.

I get up every morning and do what He tells me to do, even when I don’t feel like doing them. Instead of staying in my warm, comfortable bed, I get up at 4 a.m. and do the hardest things for me to do. Getting up that early is hard. Reading my Bible is hard. Writing is hard. Running and lifting weights is hard. But that is how I grow and learn to overcome my hardships.

Romans 5:3-4 KJV
[3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; [4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

My precious gift from my Lord is HOPE. I can’t give others hope as long as I’m comfortable, only doing enough to get by. To grow and inspire others, I must overcome my daily hardships and use my experiences to help others. I must constantly seek my best version to be someone God can use to give others hope.

On the last rep, when my body is shaking, I get a little glimpse of who I am underneath it all and what I’m capable of. When my sweat mixes with my tears, I find my greatest strength. It’s when I push beyond my limiting beliefs that I can truly see the greatness of my Lord. I get my best thoughts amid the struggle.

I don’t want to live a half-life. I will not live a life of excuses. I will not live as if I am barely getting by. I want to overcome my hardships to show others it is possible. That’s hope.

God uses our pain as a blessing. Some of my greatest gifts have been on the other side of the tribulation. This morning God gave me a little glimpse of one of my trials, and then He showed me the blessings of it. After my thumb surgery, I couldn’t hold any weight with my left hand. I lifted 25 pounds repeatedly this morning with my left hand and glove assisting.

The enemy wants me to be comfortable. But God wants me to do great things. I can’t do those great things as long as I spend more time with the enemy than I am, my Lord.

I don’t want those I love to suffer because I was too lazy to do the work. I want to grow through the pain, so I will have the experience to give others hope during the darkness.

I was incredibly sick for years. I spent so much time in bed, wishing to get out and live my life. Now that I can, I don’t take my health for granted. Some people think I’m crazy, but I’m just doing my part and praising God with my life.

Don’t give up, sweet friends! The enemy tells you how hard it will be. But you know what? You will get to where you love the challenge and the amazing feeling of overcoming it. If God can bless me to do it, He can also help you. Hope is powerful. It takes our heartaches and pain and turns them into blessings and victories.

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