Embracing Gratitude: Turning Struggles into Strengths

By: Poppy Varley

"18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18)

Everyone in life has to deal with struggles, challenges, pain, and suffering. It’s simply a fact, one that comes with being human. Sometimes, it’s easy to be brought down by these struggles in our lives. To become hopeless and defeated in the face of a challenge. And when you accept God into your life as a Christian, it’s not as if your suffering is going to magically go away. But, it can be given a purpose instead. 

Any time you are dealing with suffering, instead of getting drawn into it and making it the sole focus of your life, you can choose to offer it up to Jesus. Jesus suffered through one of the most painful things imaginable, both physically and mentally. Dying on the cross while being ridiculed and shamed, knowing that the people he had come down to save were betraying Him. Through this experience of humanity, Jesus knew what it was to suffer. But he didn’t let that consume Him, instead He used His suffering to reach through to others, to show us that we are not alone. While he was dying, he chose to forgive, to love, to think above His own pain.  

God allows us to experience suffering on this Earth so that we can experience the complete totality of goodness in Heaven. Every moment spent in pain is rewarded a thousand times over the second you enter into God’s presence. One thing I have realized as I’ve grown in my faith is the importance of perspective. It can be easy to get wrapped up in the suffering you might see daily throughout the news, TV, or even daily conversation. When the only thing you are focusing on is the bad, that is what your life will become. By only giving attention to pain, sadness, or suffering, you allow it to fester and grow within your heart and mind. This mindset makes it so much harder to move on from what is holding you back. However, the same is true for the opposite. Focusing on the good in your life and having gratitude will make your life so much more joyful.

I challenge you to find just one thing every day to thank God for. It could be your friends making you laugh, a pretty sunset, your dog, reading your Bible, or whatever you want! Just finding this one simple act of thankfulness and appreciation for the world around you will truly change your whole perspective. Turning your eyes to the glory that God provides in your life every day will make it so much easier to keep turning to Him when you’re suffering. And though suffering is inevitable in our lives, it doesn’t mean you have to go through it alone. God will always be there with you, reminding you of the good.