Today during work I was riding in the car from one office to our main office with a co-worker whom I had only recently met. I had liked her from the start—she was cute, friendly, and reminded me of Anne of Green Gables when she talked. On the way, we fell onto the topic of her recent adoption of her only child, a baby girl. Her story washed over me like a gentle, healing rain, inviting me to have faith and trust like hers.
She and her husband had been struggling with infertility for years. It was emotionally exhausting as they continued to hope for a baby and be devastated when one did not come. My co-worker wrestled with anger and pain and frustration. She cried out to God with bargains and tears. Still, the prayer was unanswered. She began to realize that her desire for a child had become an idol. She told me that she had to let go of her desire in order to allow God to answer her prayers in His own way, not hers. She felt His words to her in that difficult time were, “Just wait.” So she did. She held on to her belief that if God wanted her to wait for His plan to unfold, it must be so amazing and wonderful that she couldn’t begin to imagine it. Today they have a beautiful baby girl turning one year old today. The couple adopted her around nine months ago and my co-worker sparkled with true joy as she told me, “I feel so blessed.”
I cried on my way home today after my conversation with her. Although I haven’t experienced her trial, I can relate in many ways. Perhaps you can, too. We allow our desires to become idols. When God doesn’t answer in the way we expect, we get frustrated and hurt—even angry. We wonder and cry and pray. But He whispers, “Just wait.” We need to hold on to the promises of His love and goodness. We need to hold on to Him, trusting that He is the only one who never changes. Even when our hearts are broken and emotions are storming, we need to use our mind and will to believe in His words and truth. He is faithful. He is trustworthy. There is absolute joy and peace in following and accepting His plan for each one of us.
The gloomy mood is gone now. My car trouble, the worry about my new job, even my desire for a husband—they seem so small now. I don’t want them to be my focus. I want Him to be my focus. Trials are a part of life. They are not punishments. God is there to help us through them, to help us learn from them. My co-worker said it best when she made the point that sometimes we go through trials so that we can learn from them in order to help others going through similar situations. Negative thoughts may come and threaten, but honestly, there is not much to sustain such thoughts. When the Creator of the universe is your loving heavenly Father, thinking positively makes much more sense!
Excellent article, Laura!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts after this conversation you had with your co-worker.
When those negative thoughts begin to threaten, it is so helpful to think of how blessed we are, what others have had to go through and that God cares for us enough to try us. Thanks for the reminder to think positively – it’s something I need to remember continually!
Bless your heart for sharing such a wonderful post. It was filled with encouragement as well as exhortation! It’s so comforting to know that whatever we face or feel at any given moment, our Lord Jesus is right by our side. Thank you for reminding me to find my all in Him!!!
Blessings!
Natalie,
Thanks for posting this… such an encouragement in the midst of daily trials and tests. It is so true that they are not punishments, but definitely serve to refine us. God works everything for good, no matter if we can see any purpose in what we may have to go through.
-Keri
Thanks for posting again Natalie! Looking forward to reading your account of the wedding, and more details and pictures of it.
Everything was beautiful, by the way.
I really needed to read this today!
Thankyou!
Beautiful, timely post…thank you Laura for writing and Natalie for posting!
Blessings,
Kiersti
Thank you so much, Laura, for sharing that. It’s a very timely reminder- an encouragement for the exact place I’m at in life right now…waiting. Someone once said that “He who loved us enough to die for us will never do us ANY wrong.” He’ll help us to trust in His goodness…that His plans are to prosper and bless us, not to harm us.
This is one of the most beautifully-written articles I’ve read in a long time…full of gentle understanding, and yet bracing encouragement as one’s eyes are lifted beyond the struggles to Jesus Himself.
Thank you, thank you for sharing.
~A waiting, trusting sister in Christ
Dear Laura,
Thank you so much. This article is beautiful.
Anna
I forgot all about this article until I saw it posted today. It’s been several months since I wrote it and it was touching to read it again and remember that time. Thanks girls for your kind posts. I was almost in tears at some of your heartfelt words. We’re all in this together, aren’t we?
It’s encouraging and sweet to think of us (many we’ve never met) together on this journey of following Christ.
Blessings,
Laura
Very good, very encouraging. Thanks!
WHAT a blessing. thank you!