What if...

 I know many of you have heard Laura Story's song, "Blessings" but I just had to share it on this blog because it has spoken to me in so many ways.  It is exactly what God has spoken over me for the last few months.

Our family has been through many trials recently, but God has constantly reminded me that He has a purpose in our pain.  It is through this pain and suffering that He has taught me many lessons and has grown me in multiple ways. My prayer life will never be the same.

Over the past two years, I have learned so much about life.  Maybe it's because I'm getting older,or maybe it's because I'm paying closer attention...I'm not sure. Whatever the reason, the Lord has taken my family (the Bollings and the Reeds) through some pretty tough trials.  We were faced with the decision of trusting Him and allowing Him to do His will or not trusting Him and constantly worrying and questioning Him.  I can't tell you that I didn't have my questions, and honestly, I still do.  I have wondered, "How many trials can you take us through at one time, God?"  I have even made the statement to my sister-in-law (via text) that "It's always something!"  She reminded me that it's through our suffering that we learn to pray.  How true that statement is. I came across this quote while studying,  "The greatest opportunity to glorify God is when you are walking through the fires of affliction and trials" - Bob O'Bannon  I had to ask myself, "Do I glorify God or do I whine about what I'm going through and beg for sympathy from others?"

Romans 8:28 tells us, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." We may not see it at the moment, but He is working EVERYTHING for our good.

I challenge you to look at the circumstance you are in right now and try to find how God is working it for your good.  There may be things that we never know why they happen while we are on this earth, but be assured that He is faithful to complete His work in us.  One of my favorite pastors in the world said, "You're either in a trial, coming out of a trial, or about to go through a trial." So, we must stay ready!

The lyrics for "Blessings" are below.  I have added some  pictures of times of trial that I KNOW without a doubt that God was showing us His mercy even in our suffering.  

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near

 

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near

We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win

We know the pain reminds this heart

That this is not, this is not our home

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy

And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

-Laura Story ("Blessings")