Hardship: Part 3

This is the third in a series on hardship. You might want to read Part 1 and Part 2 before diving into today’s post.

Looking back over my seven years of infertility, I can see how much God changed me through that particular hardship. As I break that down, think about parallels in your own life. Our world is broken. Hardships will come. The beauty of God is that he uses all things for his glory, even our most painful experiences. Here’s what God did for me:

Hardship: Part 2

Before diving into my story of hardship, take a look at Hardship: Part 1. Ready? All right, let’s go.

My husband and I decided to have a baby in October 2002. After eleven months, I got pregnant. Six weeks later, I miscarried. Seven months later I was pregnant again, and six weeks after that, I wasn’t.  But it was okay. I was fine, even if my smile was becoming a bit brittle. God had everything under control, right? God had a plan, and it was my job to just trust in that plan…Right? Then my sister-in-law got pregnant the first month they tried and I. Fell. Apart.

Hardship: Part 1

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. (James 1:2-4)

For years I hated this verse—strong language, but true. I’ll tell you why in a bit. But first, hardship. We all face hardship in life. They can provoke those dark winters of the soul: doubt, fear, uncertainty, rage, bitterness. And in the end, they also provoke our greatest growth. That was certainly the case for me. I wouldn’t be where I am in life now if I hadn’t experienced seven dark and difficult years.