One of our battles with life is that we often categorize our lives based on what we believe is in our best interests. We need to understand that life is hard, and we learn much from the test of life. While we do not like those tests, they are often the motivation we need to learn. God says in Isaiah 55:8-9, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways,” … “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” God has a plan and purpose for the events He allows in our lives, and we need to learn to trust Him because He understands the goal of those events. many of us have been so conditioned by a watered down, “just be joyful” version of Christianity that we are practically incapable of acknowledging aspects of our lives that are being played out in the minor key. Scripture uses the word “Bitter” to describe some of our past or present circumstances so we can face them head-on before we cross the line into sinful bitterness of heart and life. Reminding ourselves that every circumstance comes with a plan by our wonderful Lord for our good and His glory, enables us to choose to learn and grow under our circumstances. We are all diamonds in the rough, and the only thing that can form diamonds is pressure. The presence of the pressures of this life, remind us of the joy that we have in store as a follower of Jesus Christ.
