I came home from Iraq in February. After coming home I found myself in one of the biggest pits I can ever remember being in.
Without going into all the details (there's a time and place for that), it was one of the darkest, most lonely, painful, trying, and difficult times in my life.
Mentally, physically and emotionally I was completely drained. I was running on empty and felt miles away from anyone or anything that could fill me up.
As I sit typing this on Thanksgiving, now out of the pit I was in, I am so thankful for that time in my life! I know, now you think I'm crazy and well, I guess I am, but there are some important reasons why one of the seemingly worst times in my life is one of the best, most treasured, and one I am most thankful for.
During this time several relationships in my life were used to teach me so much about God, His love for me, and my relationship with Him. One relationship in particular God really used to show me how relentless He is in pursuing me and He taught me that there is NOTHING I can do to make Him love me more or less than He does already! Please go back and read that last sentence... that is such a liberating truth!
It's so easy to point a finger at God when things are not going our way. When our plans seem to be failing God gets all the blame. During this rough time in my life, God really helped me to learn that I am not in control. When I allow myself to play part in God's story, whether it's a script I would have written or not, I open myself up to so many opportunities to learn and love in ways that I would never have imagined.
I say all of that to say that God's desire is to take what Satan wants to use to destroy you, and use it for your growth and His glory! Seriously, if you place the events of your life, as jacked up as they seem at times, into the hands of a loving God who knows you and cares for you, He will blow your mind!
Beauty for ashes, laughter for sorrow, smiles for tears. The Christian life was never promised to be easy. God wants to use the events of your life, especially the painful ones, to lead you to Him. He wants you to rely on Him as your Strength, your Help, your Comfort, and your Shield.
In the darkness is when God's light shines the brightest and it is in those times that He teaches us the most valuable lessons about who we are in light of Who He is.
It is in those times that we learn the most valuable lessons in regards to our walk with Him.
It is in these times of brokenness that God holds us close, comforts us, and helps us grow closer to Him.
For all of this and more, I am thankful!
Happy Thanksgiving!
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