Laura Story- Blessings
For the majority of my life I have always looked at the word "blessings" as something fortunate, good that happens to me, or an escape from the pains/evils of this world. Lately, I have come to realize that the hard times that we go through, the bad news we receive are just as much blessings as the good things that happen to us.
When you are in the middle of going through your trials (or after in hindsight) stopped to think how much more closer you are to Lord because of them? Did you see the 'blessings' of a loving Heavenly Father that wants you to grow to the potential He knows you can become? We ask for healing, for things to be made right but it seems like He is silent. Or you hear Him say what you did not want to hear, "there will be more pain for a while but you can get through this, I will be by your side. Don't lose faith in me, hold on a little while longer."
It is in those moments when I feel like I cannot hold on any longer, but then I stop and see how much more He really does love me. The lessons He is teaching me through each trial is really important to learn. If you endure just a little while longer you will see mercy and grace; it will be beautiful and bright. Or that the raindrops really are blessings in disguise. Nothing in this world can satisfy the cravings your soul yearns for to thrive and be happy.
There are times I have doubted His goodness. I have doubted He will fulfill every promise He has made to me. The longer we have to wait for something the more precious it becomes. I am far from perfect at recognizing the Lord's goodness to me. All I know is that He has been with me every step of the rocky way. His hand is ever present, constantly helping me pull my load.
So if you are feeling there is no more hope left in you, or no healing balm in Gilead, or your pain really doesn't matter to Him, or He just wants you to keep suffering. KNOW THIS, at that point of desperation is when He is the actually closest to you. He is not distant but close. Let go of the doubt and reach out to Him. Take His hand and let Him ease the burden you are feeling. Believe even if all your feelings tell you otherwise.
I still am trying to see the blessings in my raindrops. I do know so far they have taught me compassion and patience. More importantly I have learned to not rely on my own two hands but to rely completely on him. He will place the people in your path and change the circumstances to help us get through those hard times.
Here is a separate account of someone's life illustrating how close the help is at the point of feeling abandoned.
"I have pulled my handcart when I was so weak and weary from illness and lack of food that I could hardly put one foot ahead of the other. I have looked ahead and seen a patch of sand or a hill slope and I have said, I can go only that far and there I must give up, for I cannot pull the load through it. ... I have gone on to that sand and when I reached it, the cart began pushing me. I have looked back many times to see who was pushing my cart, but my eyes saw no one. I knew then that the angels of God were there.
"Was I sorry that I chose to come by handcart? No. Neither then nor any minute of my life since. The price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay, and I am thankful that I was privileged to come in the Martin Handcart Company." (http://www.moroni10.com/mormon_history/martin-handcart-pioneer.html)
