Finding the Joy in our Sufferings

Yesterday, March 19th, 2013, was a fabulous day. I woke up and had a great time in the Word and in prayer, went to work (and only had 5 kids in my class), had lunch with my mama ($5 salad sale at Saladworks!) bought the cutest Easter dress, and ended the night at Bible study with a great group of friends.

Today, March 20th, 2013, was not so fabulous. I woke up, and my time in the Word talked about finding the joy in suffering...that should have been my clue right there! After prayer, and my usual morning routine, I got into my car to go to work, and my car (which is known to make funny noises) was making an abnormally strange noise, but I didn't think it was all that bad...considering I did make it to work. After getting to work, I managed to slice my thumb open. Quickly remembering my devotional from the morning, I found joy in the fact that I split my thumb on scissors I was using to open up a brand new puzzle for my preschoolers. After "fixing" my thumb up, the rest of my day ran smoothly...until I got back in my car.

Getting to the house I nanny at, which is about 15 minutes from where I work, was a trip. Right after I left, the red battery light came on on my dashboard. Then, when I attempted to turn left, my steering wheel wouldn't really turn. My first reaction was "oh, great". I then snapped out of it and realized I should just start praying, so I did. What happened next was nothing short of a miracle. Not only did I make it to the house to nanny, but I barely made it. I found out after I was able to get there, that a belt broke. Thankfully, it didn't fully break until I made it to the house, instead of 2 of the busy intersections I went through.

Other blessings I found in this suffering: I get a car to drive when I nanny, so I was still able to pick up one of the boys from school, and take both the boys to get FREE Rita's! My mom is home, so she was able and willing to come pick me up after I was done nannying. My dad said I did a good job, being able to call AAA and the garage, and get everything situated.(which is a rare thing) I also had a home to come home to, food to eat, a fan AND a space heater, and a family.
The first verse I would like to share with you is from Mark. It is not one you may often hear, but I absolutely love it.  Mark 5:34
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” What has healed us? Our FAITH. Having faith in God, the almighty and all powerful, who works everything out for our good, will set us free from our suffering. How awesome is that?! 
Romans 5:3-5
because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. 
And last but not least, Romans 8: 17-18
17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 

There was a quote from A Walk to Remember, that I have never forgotten. "Without suffering, there would be no compassion." The other thing about suffering? It makes us who we are. When you start to suffer, remember how big, how great, how awesome our God is. He's in the miracle business, and will work everything out for your good. Never forget that everything He does, He does out of love. 



SufferingThroughtoMakeMeNew,
xoxo Andee

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