"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
John 16:33
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Corinthians 4:16-18
Though we rejoice in God's sustaining provision these past 16 months and His surpassing grace that has carried us through incredible trials, we continue to face bits of trials here and there daily in regards to attachment, security, and trauma within the home. We can even say now that we rejoice in the trials because they are coming less frequently or because they are coming one-at-a-time instead of stacked five deep. What a blessing to be able to think in the midst of each tribulation and to be able to consider each one minor in the grand scheme of life.
Yesterday someone said something very hurtful to me. Surely they never intended it that way. Though it hurt deeply to hear, it quickly became a light and momentary affliction which caused me to pour my heart out to Christ and renew my inner self, looking to the things that are unseen, not things that are seen in this momentary place of hurt and loss.
In the midst of this all, I sense God renewing us daily. We walk through daily trials and tribulations and can now rejoice that they are smaller than last year at this time. We struggle that those trials still exist, but we embrace the reality that this is the life that we have chosen in parenting children who have come to us with a history of hurt. We rejoice that this is the work Christ is doing in our hearts and in the lives of our children. And we rejoice that it is His work and that He has already overcome. We are thankful to be reminded that though it is painful some days, it is but a momentary affliction preparing us for an eternal weight of glory.
2 comments:
hang in there my friend. your strength and courage amaze me every day, and your faith and love for your family continues to inspire me!
Kari
Even though we haven't been able to connect lately, I am constantly praying for you, dear friend. I am also rejoicing over what you are learning (and teaching the rest of us) through this difficult season.
I know that God will continue to give you all you need for each day.
I love you friend!
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