"These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold -- though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." I Peter 1:7
If you read last week's blog, you know we've been talking about suffering. And you know I'm in one heck of a hurt right now, with two wounded hands, a sprained ankle, and a broken foot.
Yesterday the doctor told me I need surgery on my left middle finger. Yeah, go ahead with the snickers and jokes -- I can use a good laugh!
So I'm searching for silver linings here!
And these are my secrets in seeking finding them:
1. Realize it could be worse.
No matter what the situation, it could be worse. At least I have one uninjured foot. At least we have good health insurance. (Not the case mere months ago!)
Consider what IS good -- family, finances, friendships, faith? Worst case scenario -- If I'm breathing, I'm still alive! If I have salvation, there's victory even in death. If I don't have salvation and am still breathing, Jesus is calling me to accept His gift of salvation!
It doesn't take long to look around and see others with a worse fate. Watch the news! Think of ways my situation could be worse, and be grateful I don't have to deal with that.
2. Reap potential benefits.
In any predicament, there are benefits if we look for them. I have extra time at home. I'm reading books and watching movies.
My husband is waiting on me hand and foot (when he's home). I've had visits from friends bringing meals, and no one expects me to cook, show up at events, drive, or do lots of other things. People are generally giving me a pass -- for now!
I have time to pray and think and write. Although writing and typing is difficult -- and painful if I write too long -- I plan to write as much as I reasonably can and reap every possible benefit from this dreadful difficulty.
3. Remember God is good!
Know and remember that God uses every tragedy to bring GOOD for those who love Him. Suffering is never wasted.
Even this, God is using to build my character, work in those around me, and bring about His will in our lives.
We don't always see what God is doing or how He's protecting us. If this tragedy prevented me from being in a worse situation -- say a fatal car accident -- I will never know because it never happened!
So these are my secrets in searching for silver linings! Realize it could be worse, reap potential benefits, and remember God is good!!!
This has been my coping method the past week and I suspect I'll need to continue coping as this nightmare is far from over! I'm looking ahead to the glorious days when I can look back and recognize, 'So that's what God was doing during that difficult year!'
All the while, I understand that I may not see or understand it all this side of heaven. Yet I know God is working in and through me and it's all for good -- somehow, some way, someday!
"I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure. I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold.They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'These are my people.' and they will say, 'The Lord is our God.''' Zechariah 13:9
May God guide you to seek the silver linings in your suffering too.
God's Blessings Always!
Dianne