A (Wonderfully) Bittersweet Life

Last time, I shared ways that you and I can add sweetness and joy to life, even when we are going through hardships. And the thought presents itself: “If only I had no trials and difficulties…..life would be so much easier then!”

Yes, it might be easier, but it would also be dull and we would never grow in our Christian walk.  God uses the trials–the bitter times–to draw us closer to Himself  and make us more like Jesus. The sweet times–the good times–would not be nearly as precious to us if we did not go through the bitter times.

When things are going well, we have a tendency to stop seeking God for everything. Yet during trials we lean on God constantly, drawing our strength from Him. When people go through trials and truly lean on their Savior, they come through it with a deeper understanding of Who God is and have a closer relationship with Him. They also say that they would be willing to go through that trial again, because of the closeness they felt with God at the time of that trial.

I went through a difficult time, in which I didn’t know what God was doing or why He was doing it that way. I still don’t fully know why He allowed or caused things to happen that way. But because I went through that time of trial, I learned to trust God and lean on Him, in hard times or in good times.

And you know what else? If I could relive that time in my life, I honestly would want to do it the same way all over again. I’d want the same heartache, same joy, same disappointment, same everything…..right down to the most minute detail.  Because I came through that trial with a stronger faith and more love for my King, plus an appreciation for all the good things He has given to me. I remember fondly everything He did, and I can whole-heartedly say, “It was good.”

So welcome the bitter in life. It will make you appreciate the sweet. 🙂