Our children sat at the other end of the table, giggling as teenagers do, oblivious to the seriousness of our conversation. As my girlfriends and I bowed down to pray, it didn’t matter that we were in a busy restaurant at lunchtime. My friends had spent the past couple of hours sharing their burdens, seeking advice and wisdom, and we knew that only God could truly give them direction, help and meaning to their valley.
As I prayed for each of them, it dawned on me — I was once more able to share my story with someone and bring insight and hope to their circumstances. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of thankfulness in my heart. Once again, I found meaning and purpose for the trial I faced years ago.
If we were to be truthful about our prayer lives, I believe most of us would agree that it is mostly centered on our needs, or the needs of those we love. As people of faith, it is only natural that we cry out to God for help in times of trouble. We should do so, indeed. However, when the answer doesn’t come, or when tragedy seems to become the ultimate answer, we find ourselves questioning the truthfulness about God’s unfailing goodness, mercy and love.
In the midst of our storm, as our prayers go unanswered and troubles weigh us down, God’s voice seems to be silent. His love, cold. We shake our heads in disbelief, as we watch the innocent die, or disease take over faithful, godly people.
“Why, God? Why?” we ask.
I’m here to offer a different perspective today. What if we changed the grid by which we sift our lives? What if we were able to distance ourselves from the small sphere of our current reality, and were able to sift our circumstance through the grid of eternity and God’s plan for the people we encounter throughout life’s journey? What if our temporary affliction is indeed producing for us an eternal fruit that far outweighs our troubles today?
What if you could look into your future and realize that, just as it happened to me this week, you will one day be able to strengthen, uplift, equip and encourage someone, just because they will face what you are facing today? In other words, what if your trial is absolutely, undoubtedly, not about you?
It’s a true and proven fact that the best mentors are those who have journeyed through the roads less traveled. People of effective influence are those who face tough challenges and burdens, pressing on through their hardest circumstances, limping through each obstacle in order to cross the finish line. This realization doesn’t change the nature and hardship of our problems, but it can certainly bring perspective and change how we pray. Because if we say that we truly trust God and want him to use us to further his kingdom, then it would do us good to accept the burdens he places in our hands, understanding that they are but tools used to sharpen us and make us the person he chose to fulfill a specific role in his master plan.
Whether our sphere of influence will be limited to the people that live under our roof, or our voices are destined to be heard in the four corners of the world, there is a purpose for each dark valley we cross. As one standing on the other side of many trials, witnessing the countless times I’ve been able to reach out and touch someone’s life because of the lessons learned in each valley, I realize: It was never about me, anyway.
Patricia Holbrook is a Christian author and national conference speaker. Her book, “Twelve Inches: Bridging the Gap Between What You Know About God and How You Feel,” is available on Kindle, at Barnes and Nobles, Amazon and other retailers. Visit her website at www.soaringwithhim.com Email: pholbrook@soaringwithHim.com
Patricia, this is a powerful post that helps to change our perspective toward a more godly mindset. These words really gripped me: “What if our temporary affliction is indeed producing for us an eternal fruit that far outweighs our troubles today?” as ones to think more deeply about. Yes, it isn’t ever really all about us. We’re spiritual mentors as well as pupils. Each one of us has ways of helping others. So often we fail to see the fruit growing in dark places, but it becomes evident when God begins to use what we’ve been through for the benefit of another wounded soul. Thank you for this wise word. Blessed to be your neighbour at #coffeeforyourheart 🙂
Thank you, Joy! God bless you as well!
Patricia, this is a powerful post that helps to change our perspective toward a more godly mindset. These words really gripped me: “What if our temporary affliction is indeed producing for us an eternal fruit that far outweighs our troubles today?” as ones to think more deeply about. Yes, it isn’t ever really all about us. We’re spiritual mentors as well as pupils. Each one of us has ways of helping others. So often we fail to see the fruit growing in dark places, but it becomes evident when God begins to use what we’ve been through for the benefit of another wounded soul. Thank you for this wise word. Blessed to be your neighbour at #coffeeforyourheart 🙂
Thank you, Joy! God bless you as well!
This is so true, and something I’ve seen happen in my own life. Happy to be your neighbor at Jennifer’s this week.
Thank you, Elizabeth! Glad you stopped by!
This is so true, and something I’ve seen happen in my own life. Happy to be your neighbor at Jennifer’s this week.
Thank you, Elizabeth! Glad you stopped by!
Yes…YES! This is just the post I needed as my husband and I were just talking about praying for the same things again and again and the answers are not what we ask for. We are learning to pray for that which God wants…spiritual healing, genuineness, and the fruit of God’s Spirit. Praying through, knowing that God is answering our prayers and in His way helps us to pray rightly. Our prayers often sounded like staccato musical notes that end and went nowhere. BUT…not so much anymore. Thanks for encouraging me today.
Thank YOU for your encouraging words, Linda. May God continue to guide you and your husband to serve Him faithfully. Blessings,
Yes…YES! This is just the post I needed as my husband and I were just talking about praying for the same things again and again and the answers are not what we ask for. We are learning to pray for that which God wants…spiritual healing, genuineness, and the fruit of God’s Spirit. Praying through, knowing that God is answering our prayers and in His way helps us to pray rightly. Our prayers often sounded like staccato musical notes that end and went nowhere. BUT…not so much anymore. Thanks for encouraging me today.
Thank YOU for your encouraging words, Linda. May God continue to guide you and your husband to serve Him faithfully. Blessings,
It truly isn’t about us, Patricia, you are so right! And I’ve found that through the many trials in my life, I’ve been able to give encouragement and hope to others.
Blessings!
Blessings to you! Thanks for the encouragement!
It truly isn’t about us, Patricia, you are so right! And I’ve found that through the many trials in my life, I’ve been able to give encouragement and hope to others.
Blessings!
Blessings to you! Thanks for the encouragement!
Another tremendously edifying, convicting article to remind us that we have no right to ourselves or our circumstances, we were bought at a price for His glory, to love and serve him with heart, soul and mind, witnessing to others for Him. We have a great example of that in you, your family and ministry. All thanks and glory to Him for the way He is mightily using you.
Thank you, Kay! Blessings to you as well!
Thank you, Walt! God bless you,
Another tremendously edifying, convicting article to remind us that we have no right to ourselves or our circumstances, we were bought at a price for His glory, to love and serve him with heart, soul and mind, witnessing to others for Him. We have a great example of that in you, your family and ministry. All thanks and glory to Him for the way He is mightily using you.
Thank you, Kay! Blessings to you as well!
Thank you, Walt! God bless you,
Patricia – I thoroughly enjoyed reading the perspective you wrote about in this article. It’s a positive approach to looking for the blessings from God when I am in the middle of a conflict, sickness, troubles, frustration – the list could go on and on! Sometimes it takes years to understand why I may have gone through a particular situation to realize the blessing. Continuing to pray for your ministry.
Patricia – I thoroughly enjoyed reading the perspective you wrote about in this article. It’s a positive approach to looking for the blessings from God when I am in the middle of a conflict, sickness, troubles, frustration – the list could go on and on! Sometimes it takes years to understand why I may have gone through a particular situation to realize the blessing. Continuing to pray for your ministry.
Patricia, It’s so freeing to be able to see people and events from God’s perspective, rather than our perspective. I pray daily that I’ll have the heart, mind, and eyes of Jesus to see each person and event from Hi perspective. It’s rewarding to be able to use what was so painful at one time to help others in the here and now.
Blessings!
Yes, Kim! It’s Such a faith exercise to keep remembering that it’s not about us!
Patricia, It’s so freeing to be able to see people and events from God’s perspective, rather than our perspective. I pray daily that I’ll have the heart, mind, and eyes of Jesus to see each person and event from Hi perspective. It’s rewarding to be able to use what was so painful at one time to help others in the here and now.
Blessings!
Yes, Kim! It’s Such a faith exercise to keep remembering that it’s not about us!
Patricia, you are so right. The longer I live and the more trials I encounter, I am so sure that it is mostly not about me. Of course I learn, and I discover deeper wisdom from God’s word. But the most joy I know is when I can help someone else when they are in the valley, and I can be a source of inspiration and comfort to them. That wouldn’t happen if God hadn’t used me for the story he wanted to tell. Thank God for the adversity so that I have more to be thankful for and more ability to help others!
Thank you, Tina! You are a wonderful encourager! Love,
Patricia, you are so right. The longer I live and the more trials I encounter, I am so sure that it is mostly not about me. Of course I learn, and I discover deeper wisdom from God’s word. But the most joy I know is when I can help someone else when they are in the valley, and I can be a source of inspiration and comfort to them. That wouldn’t happen if God hadn’t used me for the story he wanted to tell. Thank God for the adversity so that I have more to be thankful for and more ability to help others!
Thank you, Tina! You are a wonderful encourager! Love,