Beautiful Days Ahead

It was absolutely beautiful outside today; deep blue skies (not one cloud), a breeze, and 70 degrees. As I was walking to class--I deemed it a perfect day. Funny thing is: last night I was standing outside waiting for a ride from the library in the storm and pouring rain. What a 180 degree turn! As soon as God allowed the storm to pass--He gave us the most beautiful day. Today was even prettier than the days before the storm (or at least I thought so) and that reminded of something. Doesn't the Lord do that in our lives all the time?? We may not see the beautiful day ahead, but because of our hardships--he refines us; making us even more beautiful and Christlike than before the storm. Also, we notice the beautiful days because of the storms...we appreciate them! St. Augustine said, "The very pleasures of human life men acquire by difficulties." Difficulty opens our eyes to the pleasures we have taken for granted.

Here is a quote from the book I am reading:
"God in His mercy did not choose to remove the dilemmas with which he (Paul) faced [SOME OF HIS GREATEST MERCIES ARE REFUSALS], but choose instead to make Himself known to Paul because of them, in ways that would strengthen His faith and make Him a strengthener and an instrument of peace to the rest of us."

Be encouraged in that! If we are going through something (which every Christian should be)--it is because He is strengthening us in Him and molding us to become a strengthener in whatever He has planned! The best part about it is that He has promised we will NEVER stand alone through it. He is FAITHFUL to "never leave us or forsake us."

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5