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Thankful Thursday – Trials

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This week’s theme for Thankful Thursday is trials. Yes, trials. Is it possible to be thankful for trials?

I am.

Without my trials, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I’ve learned much from making the wrong decisions. I’ve learned life is hard. I’ve learned bad things do happen to good people. Life and relationships hurt. Someone I know and love is always in need of prayer. And I mean desperate prayer. Confusion is common. Answers are limited.

But the truth is trials make me stronger. I’ve grown because of them. I don’t panic like I used to when something happens. I no longer think “death” first thing. (You’d have to understand my fear in the past to understand this.) Walking through trying situations make me dive deeper for truth.

And as I’ve dove for answers, I found the greatest treasure I know.

I’ve found Jesus.

I wouldn’t trade my relationship with Him for anything. I’ve found life and life to the full because of trials.

I’m beyond thankful.

What are you thankful for?

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What are you thankful for? Want to join us, visit this month’s host Iris at Grace Alone.

(I’m having a life to the full kind of week this week. Yesterday I talked to 4 friends for a total of 5 hours. I rarely even talk on the phone, and never that many hours. What a gift! Today I have Bible study then prayer with a friend. I hope to have time to visit blogs tomorrow or this weekend. Thank you for taking time to visit me. I appreciate your encouragement and friendship!)

Comments

  1. Hey Sweetie,

    I'm always so blessed when I visit you.

    Powerful message filled with truth. Trials make us stronger when we go through them in the power, strength, wisdom and comfort of the LORD.

    I love you.

  2. It is certainly hard to be thankful for the trials while going through them, but in the end you are right, there is always something to be learned and a way to grow.

  4. We discussed this yesterday at Bible study too!!! Our trials draw us closer to God.

    Hugs-

    Jennifer

  6. I had the privilege of hearing another woman's testimony the other day. The severity of her trials made my childhood look like paradise (which it was not).

    I am so thankful for her, and for her courage and the honor she paid me by telling me. I'm especially thankful for her generosity. Christ shines through this loving, forgiving woman who is still always thinking of others. Hearing her story was the most encouraging experience I've had in a long time.

  7. Trials are meant to refine us. Sometimes I feel like saying, okay Lord, I'm fine enough. But I know that will never happen until I'm home with Him. Always room for growth.

    Maybe we can get the Skype thing going next week. : )
    Blessings.

  8. Oh, I SO agree! I just finished writing a Bible study. "Joy in the Furnace" and it's all about what God does in our trials. When we understand what God does through our trials we will be truly thankful for them…we can't help but rejoice and thank Him!!!!!

  9. It is hard for me to be thankful for trials while in the midst of them. Frequently I look back later and see the value of them. Seems like almost all personal growth comes as a result of enduring hardship, hardwork, hard times, etc. Wish it were different! But our lives are like muscles that grow stronger with exercise.

    Thanks for positive thougths here!

    And I think I thanked (those words roll off kind of smoothly, don't they? "I think I thank") you for the weather and road condition reports last week. If I didn't, here is my "thank you" now. Cheryl thought it was neat. I thought it was great! I got out of Denver, made it home at about 10:30, and we left for Searcy, AR at 5:00 am the next day with some of our youth group for a visit to a Christian College. I'll have pics up this afternoon, maybe!

    wb

  10. None of us would be the people we are today without trials. Sometimes its hard to say we are thankful for them, but when we see the end result how can we not be thankful for the work that God does in our lifes through tests and trials.

  11. Thank God we are never left to go through our trials alone! Great post. I agree that I would not be the person I am today if not for the trials I have endoured to find Christ and grow in Him! God Bless you, have a wonderful Bible Study and prayer today!
    Katrina

  12. I'm all there… I'm with you. Everything you posted here is things that mirror my life this year. Praise God for His loving, compassion, fill with grace & mercy to guide me through it. Amen!

  13. Tiffany,

    Truly our trials do completely refine us from the fire and remove all the impurities in our life.

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

  14. Trials by fire shape us, much like the silversmith shapes his objects in the fire.

    Amen the truth does make us stronger. It's not always easy to be thankful during trials but so worth it when we see the place HE brings us too after!

    Blessings to you,

    Rose

  15. I don't think any of us would choose trials, but I've seen for myself how they've deepened my faith and made it something far more precious and durable.

    Sounds like you had a great day.
    Blessings!

  16. Such words of truth, Tiffany! Trials are hard — very hard — but there are always blessings to be found amongst them.

    Happy Thankful Thursday!

  20. This post reminds me of James 1:2 "Count it all joy, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations." Why should we count it joy? Because we know that God will never leave or nor forsake us and His love will never fail us. And, in the end we have been given an opportunity for God's goodness and glory to shine in our lives. There is no way we could count it joy in the midst of our trials if we did not know this ahead of time. Great post Tiffany!

    By the way, I just stopped by Warren's blog and noticed in your comment that you said that you have been married for 32 years! I could not hardly believe that. I did not think that you were much older than that! I told Warren that in my comment and he responded back to me to tell you that he thought the same thing! 🙂 Obviously, your youth has been renewed like the eagles'. 🙂

  21. AMEN..AMEN AND AMEN….It is so true that trials make us stronger. My husband has had two open heart surgeries, two heart attacks and has seven stints…can I tell you that God has taught me so much about faith vs fear over the past 20 years. I have learned to trust Him and although you may worry, the frantic anxiety is no longer a part of what goes on. He has brought me thru to a place of more faith and less fear…not that it is perfect…but oh what growth there has been. He has been faithful and I am so thankful.

  22. I sure enjoyed our phone conversation yesterday. You a dear soul — so lovely to "meet" you in person!

    On this "Thankful Thursday," I express thanks for you.