By Katherine Alvarado
First off, I want to say that I’m not the best at writing, but gladly enough, God uses the imperfect to show His glory!
Today I want to share the importance of struggle and going through straining circumstances. I’m not trying to say that you should jump into sin and mess up and then get better again, that is100% not the goal! But when God places you in a time of difficulty, our first resort should not be praying/asking for prayer to get out of that situation, but to pray for faith and strength from the Holy Spirit to keep strong in the battle.
I love the promises God gives to us in His word, promises of never being forsaken, of Jesus
coming again, of always being able to talk to Yeshua (Jesus' name in Hebrew) and knowing that He hears our every word to Him. These promises last throughout our lives and throughout every situation or circumstance. That means that when you are in the valley of the shadow of death, there is no need to fear (Psalm 23). If we need not to fear in the valleys and dark places in life, then why do we always desire to get a quick way out of the valley? What if God actually places us in those valleys to be broken down, to be convicted of our wrongdoings, to experience that loneliness, so that we can climb onto the mountain top made new by Jesus?
We have all been through hard times, some that have even torn us to pieces and we feel
scattered and confused. But even through the rough patches in my life, I was certain that God would never leave my side (Deuteronomy 31:8). Through every trial that you might go through in life, know that Jesus will never abandon you (Joshua 1:9). Did the Lord provide my heart with comfort in moments of sorrow? Yes but also with conviction and discipline (Proverbs 12:1). Without that, I wouldn't have been able to grow into my next. There is no need to rush the growing process. It is in the hardest moments of our lives where our hearts are moulded according to the heart of God.
During my years of high school, the gift of music that God had granted me as a child started to grow small sprouts in different opportunities at school, and at my now home church. In grade eleven, I started reading my Bible everyday, or at least doing my best to give God my everyday. As I surrendered in the good times and the hard times, Yeshua started to open my understanding to what worship truly is, and what my heart’s position should be on a daily basis. Now that I’ve graduated, and different “friendships” that I had are being left behind, I once again found myself in a place of loneliness and brokenness. Yeshua allowed me to sit in this brokenness so that HIS HAND would reshape the pieces, take away the old, bring in the new, and chisel me into an instrument of His Spirit, Slowly and ever so gently, I see that the Lord is bringing me into a new chapter of my life. I had to go through the processes of loneliness, brokenness, and of being lost to be saved by Christ and truly realize and understand His great and mighty hand.
It’s good to go through the struggle, because that is where you grow. God has a beautiful plan for your life that involves amazing miracles and beautiful blessings. But to reach the heights, we must go through the darkness. Hold fast to the light that the Word of God is (Psalm 119:105), and don’t give up my friend :)
Hey there! My name is Katherine, I JUST graduated from high school (yay) and am heading into my first year of sciences at MacEwan university! I’ve been going to church ever since I could remember and have the privilege of singing at my home church, Hope City. I love love love everything music, Jesus, fashion, and hanging out with friends/family :)