2 Corinthians 12:9-10

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Boast about our weaknesses?  Really?  How many people gladly boast about their Weaknesses?  It seems that many of us are so good at boasting about our talents, possessions, and our strengths.....but boasting about our hardships and difficulties, that is a difficulty in and of itself!

I am here, writing, today, to do just that.  "When I am weak, then I am strong." I can tell you from experience, that statement is completely true!   It took me several trials in life to see that, but now I understand that every difficulty that God puts in our path, is designed to make us stronger! 

Here are some examples from my life.....

When I was severely injured in High School by a drunk driver, I learned to persevere, through physical and mental recovery.  I am still persevering through the pain from injuries sustained, and am delighting in that life trial, by speaking to anyone who will let me, about the consequences of distracted driving! 

When my children were younger, and medical issues for both of them came to light, the years of their many medical appointments, therapies, and health scares, were very difficult to say the least!  There have been many times in motherhood that I have truly contemplated 'giving up'...I mean, it really is the toughest job ever, and the most exhausting too!   But, through those difficulties, I learned the true force behind unconditional love, and I was forced to more fully understand (and trust) God's unconditional love for me!  Just knowing the depth of God's love for all of His children, makes me more secure each day, in who I am as His child! 

I have mentioned on this Blog before, how very important music and singing in the worship band is to me.   There was a time of trial, when someone close to me accused me of being in the worship band for "personal recognition" reasons.  I was hurt so deeply by that comment, but after a few days, it forced me to deeply explore my reasons for devoting so much time to worship band.....  This trial helped me grow infinitely more close to the Lord, and to my church family, as I explored the reasons for my dedication to the band, and as I verified to myself, how honored I am to share my God given gifts, to help others worship our wonderful God!

These trials, and many others, have done nothing but make me a stronger person, with a stronger faith, through each and every trial!

I am certain there are more trials to come, but I look forward to them with anticipation, because I cannot wait to see how I grow from them! 

I can honestly and wholeheartedly agree that weakness does make us stronger, that God's power IS made perfect through weakness, and I can happily boast about my difficulties in this life! God’s power and grace shine brightest when we are made to look more closely at them! 

Love and Peace to you this week! 

And please, if you know someone struggling through a trial right now, remind them that God has placed that trial for a reason, and the glory and grace that come after it, are worth the difficulty! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LIKE My Facebook Page "Consequences of Distracted Driving" for stories and details about the impact of distracted driving. 

Also, if you are interested in me speaking to a group about any topic mentioned above, please check out my website, 
www.frommylifetoyourheart.com

Honesty

Honesty... This is sometimes a difficult life goal to achieve.  In this World full of expectations and social pressures, it's hard to be honest all the time.  Life sometimes causes the easiest choice to be,  to lie to fit in or to "fib" to be accepted.  Sometimes when we've done something wrong, we are inclined to lie to cover up our wrongdoing.  I've been in situations where I cannot even decipher which person is being honest, and which is telling a lie....

I recently left a long term commitment, that I thought would be in my life for many more years, due to lack of honesty.  I was wrapped up in a situation where I was being asked to be dishonest.  The feelings that came with me being expected to deceive others, were unacceptable to me.  I was full of worry that I would somehow end up taking the blame for the dishonesty of those around me. 

Last week, I saw this image on Facebook: 

and it became clear to me that some of the people who were asking me to be dishonest, must not have been willing or able to handle the truth. Sometimes there are ways 'around' the truth, or 'around' the honest approach.   People see 'options' that make a lie of lesser importance, in their eyes... 

This must have been what was happening around me....
Others were able to somehow "justify" their dishonesty, to themselves, because of the notion that they were 'doing what was best', or that they 'deserved it'. 

Well, I was unable to continue in that commitment, because of the way this dishonesty affected my heart.   I knew that the approach being taken, was a dishonest approach to the situation.  My heart told me constantly, to question these actions....   And I did, but was still expected to move forward in a dishonest way. 

Eventually, I reached a mental place, where I could no longer accept this dishonesty.  I could no longer be involved in this behavior. 

So, I made a very difficult change in my life, to be true to my morals; to be honest. 

In hindsight, I am very pleased that I chose integrity over status, that I chose honesty over deceit.  

You see....MY heart is only at peace with honesty.   

I've been listening to a wonderful new song, over the past few weeks; and here are some of the lyrics: 

"Truth is harder than a lie." 
"Don't pretend to be something that you're not. Living life afraid of getting caught." 
"Mercy's waiting on the other side, if we're honest"
"There is freedom found, when we lay our secrets down." 


Please listen to this wonderful tune, 
"If We're Honest" by 

Francesca Battistelli

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDcTvtuuVU8

Choose Honesty! It is the best way to feel at peace with life!