Working in the Heart

"Most of the grand truths of God have to be learned by trouble; they must be burned into us with the hot iron of affliction, otherwise we shall not truly receive them." - Charles Spurgeon

Whoa. Seriously. How true is this? If we never experienced pain, would we even know joy? If nothing ever cost anything, how could we appreciate value?

If nothing ever died, how would we cherish life?

If there were no darkness, how could we embrace light?

If there were no hatred, how could we comprehend love?

Deep thoughts today, I suppose. Patty Ann over at Pitterle Postings has an amazing post you MUST read. Check it out here. It totally got me thinking.

I've been down this road before, where I have said that I am thankful for what I have been through because it has shown me so much. About myself. About others. About God. About love. Not all of what I have learned has been good, especially about people, including myself!

Whether your belief system says God "sent" me this disease, or "allowed" it to happen, it doesn't much matter, as the end result is the same: He is Sovereign. He knows best, and He knows what it takes to get my attention, and keep it. And for that, I truly am eternally grateful.

So a huge thank you, to those hearts of whom God has spoken to, who are helping me and my family. Thank you for being the light in my darkness. Thank you for listening to His whispers, (or as it would have been in MY case, His shouting and beating over the head with large objects....I don't always listen so well.)

So when you get discouraged, just remember: God KNOWS what He is doing. I PROMISE. I know it may not feel like it at the time, but He does. And He wants what's BEST for you. Think of someone you love with all of your heart. The BEST things you could possible imagine wanting for them are nothing compared to what God wants for YOU. Believe it.