"...but he has told me, 'My grace is all you need, because my power is perfected in weakness. Therefore, I will most happily boast about my weaknesses, so that the Messiah's power may rest on me.'" - 2 Corinthians 12:9
Mother Teresa was a soul filled with the light of Christ, on fire with love for Him, and burning with one desire: "to quench His thirst for love and for souls." She felt this way in spite of a difficult life, filled with health problems, poverty, and a profound sense of responsibility for the poor. When reminded that God does not give us any burdens we cannot handle, Mother Teresa replied, "I know, but sometimes I just wish He didn't think so highly of me." While it's true that tough times can challenge us and shape character, most of us would prefer that God would find another teaching method!
While hitting rock bottom is not fun, crises do offer opportunities for growth and service. For instance, sometimes God allows us to go through hard times so that we can learn to truly trust Him. You see, when we do choose to trust God...even when there is no concrete evidence of His presence - we demonstrate real faith. And that faith is not only demonstrated to God, it is a powerful witness to everyone who sees what you have gone through. Look at the example shown by Joseph. After thirteen years of miserable setbacks, the first thing he did was to stand before Pharaoh and share his testimony of his faith in God. What a magnificent witness to the glory of God!
So, when facing tough times, recognize the opportunity you have to build trust in God, deepen your faith, and become a powerful witness for your Heavenly Father.
