Sound of Surviving Blog

Have you ever thought about the road your life has taken and how much different it would be if you had not encountered the trials you’ve faced? I have a lot, and oftentimes, I think of how much easier or better my life would be if not for those challenges.

But then, I also think if not for my challenges, I wouldn’t have many of the people or things in my life that I love. Our suffering on this Earth shapes so much of our lives. This isn’t always a bad thing. Yes, the pain, and the doctor’s appointments, and the heartaches, and sometimes bottomless pits are exhausting; but this is only God’s starting point.

Things can only keep looking up from there. In Romans 5:3-5, Paul writes that “we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. 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.

As Paul states, our suffering shapes who we are. It changes our character to be more empathetic, more caring, and more faithful in our relationship with God.

God has given us such a powerful hope, if we trust in him. Our suffering won’t be in vain, not if God produces so many good and amazing things through it. Everything God does in our lives is for a purpose. In Romans 8:18, Paul states, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory which shall be revealed in us”. I don’t know that we will ever know the reason for our suffering here on earth, but I do believe that we will be rewarded for it one day in heaven. I think it’d be so awesome to get to heaven and meet all the people whose lives we impacted for Christ, who are there, in part because of the impact we made.

Also, I know that if it weren’t for my trials and all that I’ve endured in my life, I would never have met some of the most amazing people, or made an impact for God on them, or had them impact my faith in God. Sometimes, our journey in life isn’t just about us. Yes, it’s our journey, but God uses us, every one of us, to impact other’s lives for him.

In my opinion, it’s pretty amazing that though, as humans, we are far from perfect, that God has chosen us to carry out his love and his light in this world. Sometimes, the people that God wants to impact through us, we meet through these tough times. As much as they can help to encourage you, you can encourage them.