When We Go Through Hard Times
We all experience pain in one form or another—if we live long enough life usually brings us something emotionally or physically difficult. Throughout these hard times we wish that things were better. We might blame others, ourselves, or perhaps even God for what has befallen us. We might be angry, or despondent, or overwhelmed. But there is also something else that is happening in tandem with the pain.
If you look back on what you’ve been through; on all the hard times that you’ve made it through so far, one thing is always true–you’ve changed.
You may not always change as much as you’d like, and you may not always change for the better, but no matter what it is, something has changed. Perhaps it’s just a different outlook on something, or perhaps our entire attitude towards life completely changes.
We know that life is not always easy. So why do we question why something hard is happening to us?
Although it isn’t a common profession, most people understand what a blacksmith does. Essentially a blacksmith’s job is to take a chunk of metal, and through a lot of hard work and sweat, mold it into something useful. The process is not simple. The metal must be heated and cooled constantly, and the blacksmith must pound it over and over until it finally resembles a weapon or tool that’s usable for some specific purpose. In its original state, the metal was basically useless for such a purpose, but through the blacksmith’s hard work over a long period of time, it finally becomes something that can be effectively used.
We are the same way. God uses our life experiences, both good and bad, to mold us into something that he can use for his purpose. We may not always understand what that purpose is, but God always has a plan.
Some of us may reject him for putting us through the hard times, and we often fight to meet our own vision of what purpose we think we should fulfill for ourselves. We don’t mold easily, and it’s especially tough during the hard times. It’s hard for us to see what purpose we’re being shaped for. But, if we allow ourselves to learn and grow from the hard times, then it will be easier for us, in the long run, to understand and fulfill the purpose that God has for our lives. If we accept his purpose, we will discover a world opened up to us that we could have never imagined before.
A sword used as a nail would be a frightful waste of craftsmanship. But, when a sword is used in the way that it was created, it can be a powerful weapon. And the great thing is, we’re not all crafted to be swords. We’re each uniquely crafted, with different capabilities and purposes. Unlike a giant pile of spoons, which only have one purpose, the body of Christ is like a chest full of various tools that could build an empire.
God has a big plan for you, and for the people around you. If we would all allow him to mold us into the people that we’re meant to be, there’s no telling what kinds of “impossible” things might become reality.
As you go through the hard times that life brings you, remember that God has a plan for your life. You may not see it in that moment, but trust in him, pray, and listen for his guidance. He will pull you through and bring you into a world that’s brighter than anything you’ve ever known.Permalink]]>