From Present Suffering to Future Glory

It is amazing how at just the right time God will send someone to encourage your heart.  Through my struggle with infertility, there have been dark days, where I have struggled with feeling depressed, sad, angry and confused.  I am blessed with an incredible husband, parents and three sisters who all carry my hurts and joys, just as if they were walking through my same journey.  A few days ago, my younger sister, Rebecca, sent me the beautiful scripture from Romans 8.  Reading it, I was so encouraged and thankful that "all things work together for good to those who love God" and despite our failure, weaknesses and sins...despite our trials, He has a plan for us and we can be strong knowing that He will complete the work He began in each of us.   Reading scripture and praying always gives me perspective in my situation.  "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (verse 26)."  God knows our hurts, frustrations and inadequacies...He intercedes for us, even when we can't put our needs or feelings into words.  The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness and does what we cannot do...I take great hope in this and want to encourage you to have the same confidence in Christ, no matter the struggle you are facing today!  

Romans 8: 18-30

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that,but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us[a] with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

I hope everyone has people like I do, blessing their lives everyday.  It makes such a difference to know you have someone thinking of you, loving you and praying for you!

My sisters and me on my wedding day!

New Year's Eve 2015!

xo, Jessica