Between The Rock and A Hard Place

A friend of mine is going through a rough time. "Rough time" doesn't even begin to cover it, but it's hard to put into words exactly what she is going through. I can relate to her experience, and yet, I can't, because every situation is different and what was true for me is not necessarily true for her. One thing does NOT change, though, and that is the faithfulness of God. It is hard sometimes to see the good that God is trying to accomplish when the circumstances are so very dark, and there seems to be much cruelty and evil. And yet, we know that all things do work together for good to those who love God - not that everything turns out right in the end - but that because of the situations we face and our response to them we grow to be more like Christ. THAT is the ultimate good. But sometimes we have to go through a lot of dark days before we fully see that glorious light. Our pastor described it to me one way. He said, "don't see trials as a wall that is unsurmountable, but see them, rather, as a bridge." As we cross the bridge that is our trial the good is waiting on the other side. Don't lose focus of that. Through the pain and suffering of our innermost being there IS another side. It is just a bridge - cross it with faith in a God whom we do not see, but we love, and know that when we suffer for righteousness sake, we are in a fellowship with Christ and HIS suffering. I am praying for you.