Psalm 16

It's amazing to me that this journey of faith and trust in God has gone on this long. But when I stop to think about it, I really should not have expected any less. What I am learning now is that life will never be different. I prayed a prayer that God would show me that I would trust Him, and at the time I expected to receive a single revelation. What truly happened was that I welcomed a new way of life... one that forces me to trust God every day. Learning to trust God has not and will not be a short journey. It is a journey I will take the rest of my life.

The hardest thing I've been learning lately is to thank God for the difficult times. As I look back on my life, the times that defined me the most were in the midst of my deepest trials. I have been trying to view hard situations as blessings. I try to see them as growth opportunities, but in my humanity, I don't want to. I want to be bitter about it. But God has been breaking me down and helping me have the faith to trust Him in this way.

Psalm 16 really spoke to me in this area the other night when I read it. These verses encouraged me and I hope they will do the same for you.

7  I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.8  I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
9  Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.10  For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.
11  You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.