The winner has been chosen. Thanks to everyone for the great comments.
Last week, we brought you the first installment of Wednesdays in the Word with Laura Story! Laura has shared from her heart on several chapters from her devotional book, What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?
This week, Laura shares about Chapter 13 and the Apostle Paul’s “thorn in the flesh.”
Sometimes I have a tendency of thinking that God has left these pains as punishment. Or maybe God just doesn’t care. But God says…”My grace is sufficient for you for strength is made perfect in weakness.”
So, I know for my own life, it’s so hard to understand why God allows us to go through hard things. Even though I don’t have the answers…I do believe that God longs to use our weakness in order for his holiness…to shine all the brighter through our lives.
What is a time in your life when God used your weakness for His glory? Share your story with us for a chance to win an autographed copy of “Blessings” and a copy of the Laura Story’s devotional book!
P.S. Don’t forget to get your copy of Laura’s Devotional Book HERE and her hit CD “Blessings” HERE!
I believe God allows us to go through trials to make us come back to Him and rely on His strength to get us through! During my mom's illness my dad started reading the Bible again and decided to get rebaptised. Since her death he has started coming to church with me and my hubby. He prays daily now and is a committed Christian! That's why God leaves the thorns in!@
One time I had a good friend in Germany who was extremely suicidal. She had called me seeking encouragement, wanting me to say something that would give her a reason to live. I desperately wished I could be there with her, but I couldn't since we were on different continents. In addition, I didn't know what to say to help her, since I too was struggling with my own depression. It was late night in Germany, so I told her to hang in there, that I loved her, and that I would call her back the next day as soon as I got home from work. As soon as I hung up, I decided I would fast and pray for her, seeking any encouragement the Lord might have for me to share with her. When I called her the next day, I still had no idea what to say to help her, but as soon as she answered the phone, God began to speak through me all the things that she needed to hear, and she was incredibly encouraged. When I hung up, I honestly had no idea what I had even said to her, but I knew that God in His sovereignty had used my weakness to show His strength and His love to my dear friend. That was almost 20 years ago now, and we're both standing strong in the Lord. In fact, that friend is now a missionary in Hong Kong.
My parents divorced about a year and one month ago. It was my freshmen year at college, and I was so mad at God. I was tired of turning my life around, only to have it fall apart right before my eyes. Well, I went to college at a Christian college, and that year the speaker would always talk about how following God isn't easy. One of them even said, "you're life may fall apart!" I started talking to people on campus and through all the ministry I've witnessed, I can't help but think God for all I've been through. Even though I felt like my life had fallen apart, looking back, God was there the whole time. He put the right people in my life, and I am so grateful! I got the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Guatemala last January, and I am so lucky I was able to go. A week before all the money was due (I still needed about $2,000) I got a call saying my trip was paid for, and I needed to get packed! I was actually angry because I felt like God was telling me to stay home, and I had already came to terms with not going to Guatemala. I was like God why?! I got down there and realized why. I got to be in community with some of the best Christian examples I have ever met! Their heart for God is huge, and they are down there loving the people, not thinking of them as trying to get their 'quota' of saved people. I found that I wasn't alone in my struggles, and I should be thankful for my circumstances. I met a women who has every reason to be angry at God, but is so faithful! This bast year, has been a big blessing! I don't know where I would be in my relationship with Christ if none of it had ever happened.
I have been going through a very bad time in my life. It just seems to be one tragedy after the next. In May 2008, I broke my leg. The doctor who fixed it gave me flesh eating bacteria and I almost died. Then, after I was strong enough to survive an operation, he wanted to cut my leg off. I said no. 18 operations later, praise God, I still have my leg. Then, right after getting the new doctor's approval 2 years later to get out of the wheel chair, I was rear ended by a guy texting. I have had 2 neck surgeries and am waiting for a third. I have been off work for the better part of four years but God has provided for my family and I. I am so depressed as I don't know what the end result will be. If I will still be in so much pain that I have to take so much pain medicine that I am a zombie. Will I ever be able to work again? Through it all, God has been there with me. I have tried to help others and that is where I feel alive. Even through the pain, God has used me to bring blessings to others. I don't know if I will ever be well on this earth. I do know that God is in charge and will be faithful to all His promises.
I've been dreaming of living and working in Africa since I was about 5 years old. That dream finally came true a few months ago ... 32 years later. My life has been full of trials and hardships. God used all of those things to make me stronger. He still is continuing to make me stronger. I believe I wouldn't be where I am now, doing what I'm doing, without doing the hard things God used to strengthen me.
We have been in 5 car accidents, none our fault but that does not matter. My husband & I are in pain for the rest of our lives. I am no longer able to work. On the sort of funny side, people have come to me & thanked me for taking their share of the car accident statistics. These people & others have also asked how I deal with it. Some have said that they would just have a terrible attitude if they were in constant pain. The only answer I have is that God helps me through it by giving me His hope to focus on, His promise that I will make it through each day, & His promise that the future is so very much better in Heaven & that this life is just temporary. Focusing on the pain just makes it feel worse. Concentrating on what is still good in life helps to distract some from the pain.
I was out of work for almost 2 years then had another job for 7 months & was laid off again for about 8 months. I lost my entire savings & did not know how we would make it. Each time, God provided with providing free things we found on the internet, & provided a job the last week of our unemployment check. It was so hard to have faith & at times we were still scared in spite of knowing God would provide. God was able to show others through us that He would provide & never let us go without food or shelter. We do not know why we had to wait, but God showed a bigger miracle in the process with many little miracles along the way.
I have been through a lot in the past year. I have felt depressed, suicidal, I actually cut, but I never found happiness. Just recently, I talked to someone about everything. It was hard, but now I feel so much more alive then I did even a month & 1/2 ago. God used my best friend's mom, my "2nd mom", being healed from stage 3 Ovarian cancer, to show me how much he loves me. I didn't think it was possible for someone to always love me no matter what. People that were supposed to love me, ended up hurting me. Now through my "mom's" healing, I know God does bring good out of hard situations. This Mother's Day is going to be amazing since Mother's Day 2011 was when I found out about the cancer. The first best friend I ever had moved away after her mom died from cancer. That was 6 years ago and I couldn't stand to think about losing another friend's mom. But even with everything that has happened since lat year, I can say God loves me even more than I'll ever know. He will always be there for me.
I had not been as close to God as I should have been while taking care of my sick mother. While taking care of Mom, who was deeply religious, I began to draw closer to where I should have been. I would take her to church whenever she felt up to it. After she passed away, I became deeply depressed. I didn't want to go anywhere. All I wanted to do was sleep. My body hurt all over. God brought me back to being more normal by telling me with verses he put in my head. I have been closer to God now than I have in over 35 yrs. I thank him everyday for bringing out of the depression. I thank Mom for being with me everyday guiding to God.