It’s all good.  

We’re fine.  

No worries.  

We’re doing great.

The kids are excelling.

I love my job. It’s such a great fit.

Everything seems to feel like it’s in balance.  

Things just seem to be falling into place. 

We live for moments when we can say phrases like this and really mean them, don’t we?

But what about the times when we’re anything but stress free? When life throws us another curve ball that leaves us in disbelief? We can question everything during these times and forget that there’s something important for us down these difficult roads, too. If nothing else, the challenges spark a greater appreciation for the moments when we seem to be on cruise control heading down easy street, don’t they? 

For me, hurdles to overcome are also an incredible reminder of my need for God. Trying times have a way of bringing me to my knees. It requires surrendering and trusting that God is working out every detail. That He is faithful. That His promises are truth.  

It’s been my experience that those who’ve been tested deeply are the very people that God uses greatly. There’s a purpose in our pain, frustrations, stress, doubts, fears, brokenness, etc. If we want to be used greatly by God (and I do), we can expect to be tested. We just can’t forget that these times of testing are what makes our testimony so powerful.