In the minutes following the birth of my son 28 years ago, I surprised the doctor and my husband with a strange reaction. My labor was long and hard, but all through the many hours spent in that hospital bed, I knew I was working for something wonderful. The pain was intense, but the moment my son was placed in my arms and I first glimpsed his sweet face, I wiped the sweat from my brow, smiled bigger than I ever had before, looked up and exclaimed, "I want to do that again!" The doctor paused, laughed and then stated that in all the years of his practice, he had never, ever heard a woman say that with such enthusiasm at that very moment! He might have been surprised, but I wasn't.  After 9 months of waiting and 19 hours of labor, all the hard work and energy had culminated into a beautiful new life.  I was filled with such joy that it couldn't be contained.



If only we could look at all the “labors” in our life with such joy!  So often, we experience growing pains meant to form us into new, beautiful creations in God’s eyes, but the painful process can discourage us.  We focus on the trial rather than the end result.  God’s word promises that we can face our troubles with confidence and hope because God will use our difficulties to grow and shape us.
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” (Romans 5:3-5).


Have you ever gone through a painful or challenging time but then experienced such blessings as a result that you would be willing to go through it again in order to come to an even deeper relationship with Christ?  I know that is a difficult idea to grasp.  None of us like trials, let alone pain.  But, when we remember that God uses everything in our life -- the good, the bad, the difficult, and the easy -- to mold and shape us into the women He created us to be, the sting of the journey is eased.  When we consciously focus on Christ and on what He is doing through the pain, we can be sure that our faith will grow.  God never wastes a hurt.  We aren't asked to celebrate the pain, but we are told to remember that through that pain, God is creating something beautiful.  We can trust Him for that.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).


15 Comments

  1. Loved this! Overflowing with wisdom and truth. I'm passing this onto someone close to me who is experiencing a frustrating and frightening medical condition. This should give her a big dose of what everyone needs: hope! Thanks for sharing your heart.

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  2. Oh yes! Please share. I'm so glad you were encouraged and pray that your friend is, too.


    Blessings, Joan

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  3. Dear Joan
    This is my eighth year of living with Fm/CFS and from experience I can tell you that I would choose the same path all over again if I had a choice! Our Lord Jesus became so real and truly a living Person living in me and me in Him through all the pain and exhaustion. Although I knew of Him before, like Job did, I can now say that I truly know Him!
    Blessings XX
    Mia

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  4. It is amazing how through trials, we come to know God in a deeper, more personal way! I love the verse in Job 42:5: "I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes." Our experiences so often make Him real to us. It is true joy in spite of our circumstances!


    Blessings, Joan

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  5. Wow, Joan. I can certainly identify with this post. I've found this to be true many times in my 77 years. What seems like a tragedy turns out to be a blessing. Thank you for the reminder.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  6. It's amazing how God always brings something good out of every situation! He is so faithful!


    Blessings, Joan

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  7. Those were very wise words. And timely, also for me. I pray you will have a wonderful week showing up, with abundances of love.

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  8. Thank you, Anders! May you have a blessed week as well!

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  9. I was inspired to write a locus. *smile*

    MOTIVATION

    Consider it all joy to be
    in trials and affliction set.
    If you can stand the agony
    a mastery is what you get.

    (The locus is published | here |.)

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  10. This is beautiful & very true. The lessons that we learn during those times are precious & we hold them near. I would definitely go through some things again. They were truly worth it. So glad I visited this morning!

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  11. Thanks for dropping by - I'm glad you were encouraged! Certain circumstances maybe be difficult, but with God by our side, we can be sure that he will guide us through and show us something beautiful as a result.


    Blessings, Joan

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  12. I love your announcement made after birthing...I was unable to say that after both of mine. They were so bad and ended in C-sections. But...I did say that eventually after each one! The illustration fits well though with other painful laboring times in life. I see God changing me through each one. Thanks for the reminder of the goodness in the midst of pain.

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  13. What a beautiful post. It would be great if we could say that with everything, but sometimes it's only in the looking back that we truly see the beauty. Thanks Joan (thanks for linking up to my page too)

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  14. Hi Amy! Yes, my reaction wasn't exactly the normal one, especially after how long and hard it was - maybe I was delusional! lol. But, I am so thankful that God has shown me then, and also over the years how something good always comes through trials. It can be difficult to see, but God never wastes a hurt!


    Blessings, Joan

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  15. Yes, I like the term "Hind sight is 20/20!" The blessings are often so much clearer once the trial is over!


    Blessings, Joan

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