From Bitterness to Sweetness: Finding Strength in Trials
Over the years, I have learned and accepted that the way I wanted to do things never worked. Whenever I made it through life’s trials and tests, it was usually a combination of God’s intervention and the effort He had me put forth. Many times, I thought the devil was working against me, but more often, it was me working against myself, against God’s process, and against God’s timing. I finally learned to trust the process and refrain from trying to control it.
You couldn’t tell me that life didn’t serve up a platter of lemons to me. I entered the jungle at a very young age, around 10 years old, when my life started to shift. Although I can recall many situations and disagreements between my parents, I realize that their life is their story to tell. However, their life led to several unfortunate circumstances that seeped into the next generation.
My personal childhood memories are mine and drove me to fight to become the person I am today. Little did I know that life’s lemons had their own separate ingredient that would cultivate my lemonade. Little did I know that God had a plan for me, which included instances of trauma, chaos, mistrust, drama, dependence, and independence.
🍋 My Lemonade Ingredients
We have all heard the cliché phrase, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” For me, that is exactly what I unintentionally did. In a nutshell, Proverbs 31 defines a woman as being clothed in strength and dignity. I agree, but I believe that a woman is cultivated with a few more elements. Over time, my character developed; traits were cultivated, and the following ingredients are what made me the woman I am today: shame, fear, mistrust, misery, faith, prayer, humility, forgiveness, insecurity, integrity, deceit, betrayal, emotional IQ, love, hope, dreams, and determination.
There were many moments where I had no choice but to take the bitter with the sweet, and eventually, I made my very own lemonade. Perfect for me!
I found my strength through all of my trials, and as I evolved, I came to understand that “trials worketh patience and patience worketh trials.” Trusting the process is key, but having the discipline to trust it can be challenging.
My purpose for my writings is to sow seeds of encouragement and motivation into someone who feels broken, lost, confused, empty, miserable, frustrated, and sad.
James 1:2-4 (NIV):
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Psalm 126:5-6 (NIV):
"Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them."
Romans 8:28 (NIV):
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Prayer: God, help me to embrace trials with patience, knowing they are shaping me into the person You want me to be. Amen
