(Wow, its been forever since I have blogged.  Summer classes, work, the list goes on…has been keeping me busy!  I am alive, so don’t worry haha!)

My favorite part of the day is the time I before I go to bed.  I love the time I have to read my Charles Stanley devotionals and Bible and to have quite time with God.   This week has been a challenging week.  I was in need of some divine encouragement.  While reading my devotional one day, I get that extra boost of encouragement I needed.

“If we all had lives of ease without opposition, trials or pain, we’d never really know God because we’d never really need Him…Adversity teaches us more about the Lord than simply reading the Bible ever will.” Charles Stanley

What an amazing thought.  If I had an easy time of it, if everyday was smooth sailing, I wouldn’t need to depend on Christ for strength.  Our struggles remind us of our constant need for God’s help in our life.  I was humbled this week.  I was battling a cold, knee pain, work issues, along with watching some of my family members struggle with debilitating health issues.  I was reminded that I can’t do it on my own–I need my Savior to walk alongside me and pick me up when I can’t go any longer.

While doing physical therapy on my knee this week I learned a lot about muscles.  My muscles are weak and I need to do exercises to strengthen them (which is not a fun process!)  Our faith like a muscle.  If we don’t exercise it, it will become weak; we need to constantly exercise it and use it in order to make it stronger.  God places difficult circumstance in our life to strengthen our faith.  It might not be easy, but in the end if will be worth it.  Knowing God has plan has helped me through difficult circumstances.

One of my favorite songs “This is the Stuff” by Francesca Battistelli.  This song played through my head this week.  I think these lyrics sum up how we feel during those rough days.

This is the stuff that drives me crazy

This is the stuff that’s getting to me lately

In the middle of my little mess

I forget how big I’m blessed

This is the stuff that gets under my skin

But I gotta trust You know exactly what You’re doing

It might not be what I would choose

But this is the stuff You use

If you are having a rough time, know that God has plan for your life.  You are working your faith muscle, and you are going to have six-pack equivalent once you are done!  Praying God’s blessing over your life!