In contemplating the highs and lows of your life, it is important to remember that nothing lasts forever. People will come and go. Money will come and go. Problems will come and go. Understand that every test and every trial is only temporary. Think about it. How many times have you been stressed out about something, only to get through it and over time forget that it was ever a stressful situation? Nothing is forever! It may feel as if you are in the “valley” right now, but I want to remind you that it is impossible to have a valley without any mountains. So, though you may be in the valley right now, get excited because your mountain is coming up next.
Life’s problems are always presented with two options. We have the option to either grow bitter or grow better. Often times we pray and ask God to bless us in a certain area of life and God, in His infinite wisdom, will often allow us to then go through a situation that proves how He is growing us in that particular area. For instance, we pray for more patience. Instead of God just instantly granting you with an abundance of patience, he will allow you to go through a situation that will cultivate and help you grow in the area of patience. Why do you think the second you get done asking God for patience, someone comes right along to test it? It’s because God is trying to use that situation to help you grow in that area. So listen, as you are going through tough times, choose to not just go through it, but rather, grow through it. Grow into more patience. Grow into more peace. Grow into more wisdom. Grow into more faith. Grow into more security. Don’t get bitter, get better. And remember, tough times never last, but tough people do!! If we were at Valencia Christian Center, I’d stop right here and say, “Give your neighbor a high five and say ‘Grow Baby Grow’!”
For more information, please call 661-977-4100 or visit www.valenciachristiancenter.org .