Dear Ones,
Hope we each face the day with an open heart to all that God has for us. Since I am retired from writing devotions each day, I don’t pretend to know all that God has for me next, but I am drawn to more intercession and listening to the Lord, responding to questions on emails, sending cards etc. My body is healing and I just had my stitches taken out and PTL only a few more days of a topical cream on my face that makes it rough and red so it can then begin healing!
The question for you today: What have you learned from the Lord when going through hard times in your life?
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Would we be able to say that we are a grateful person? The best way to start our day may be to just pause and take time to worship and express gratitude to the Lord for who He is and the many ways He has blessed us.

The apostle Paul was a grateful person who was always giving thanks and praise, even when he was in prison and suffering in some way. I Thess 5:16-18 as he closes his letter he says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstance; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Notice that Paul does not say to be thankful for all circumstances but in all circumstances. The Lord doesn’t rejoice when we suffer but He is with us in our hurt and draws us closer to Him. Because God has allowed us to go through times of suffering, our plans often get changed and we have to flex. I know that is true when I got injured.

We don’t necessarily get excited about hard times but even in them we can see and experience God’s grace. When we open our eyes we often find how much we have learned and gained through our losses and times of suffering. Things we took for granted are now looked at as gifts from above. Going through them opens our eyes to appreciate even more that God is with us and His grace is sufficient. Hopefully we become more attentive to Him rather than trying to fix our situations.

Sometimes we gain more from the hard things in our lives and we may be surprised that fruit has been ripening in us all the while. Perhaps we have become more patient and kind as we express more of His love. We also may begin to see more clearly the bigger picture the Lord has for our lives. Let us express gratitude for all things we experience that lead us closer to the Lord.

Challenge for today: Share with a friend how something you have suffered has helped you to grow in new ways.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy