Hebrews 12:11 (January 24-30)

Hebrews 12:11 "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

So getting this verse at this time was definitely an example of how God works. I had been having an exceptionally difficult time leading up to and during this week. I was feeling depressed, defeated, lonely, and just all around sad. I felt separated from my friends and like I was hurting them. It took me reading this verse each day for it's meaning to sink in to my thick skull because, let's be honest, sometimes I am pretty dumb and it can be so hard to see beyond my own pain and hurt. I don't remember the specific day or time I was reading this but I do remember this moment of realization of what was going on. This wasn't so much a "light bulb" moment as it was a "2x4 to the back of the head." 

Being a Christian, or even a moral person, isn't about doing what's easy or comfortable. In fact it very often means the opposite. Our job as a Christian in this world is not meant to be easy, it's suppose to be hard, it's suppose to challenge us, and yes even sometimes break us down. It's a hard truth to accept because we just don't like it. We don't look at the big picture beyond our pain and we don't see the lesson that God is trying to teach us through our trials. 

This moment was a chance for me to step back and try to look beyond my pain, my hurts, and focus on the lesson God is laying out for me. Knowing this has helped give me strength and pick myself up and keep going. Keep living the life God wants me to and embrace my hurts and see them for the lessons they have. I'm not saying I won't be sad or feel pain. That's part of life, we are supposed to feel those just as we feel happy and joyful when good things happen.