God is the only one who can make the valley of trouble a door of hope. - Catherine Marshall
Weekly Thought
Think about it. If you had everything you wanted, if there were no challenges in your life, if you didn't have any questions about why things are the way they are, and if you didn't feel there was something for you to accomplish that is bigger than your abilities; what would you have to hope for? Nothing, of course. You would already have everything.
We know that's not the way the world worksbut sometimes we act and feel as though that's exactly what we believe. We seem surprised by problems and challenges.
We live in a fallen world with fallen people. That accounts for so many of the trials we face. But beyond that, God wants us to live in reliance on Him. For that reason, He doesn't grant our every wish and give us everything our heart desires exactly when we want it. He wants us to grow in the ways that really matterpatience, kindness, self-control, and other fruits of the spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23 for a list).
Don't have everything you want right now? Well, that gives you something to hope for!
Lord, as I work and wait for various blessings in my life, help me to grow in character and maturity. Amen.
Click here for some encouragement to pursue hope in all circumstances.
