Gods Plan in the Face of Pain

After writing and rewriting this post several times, I’m sitting down at my desk, with a pen and my diary. Many experiences happen when I’m not distracted by spelling and grammar errors, with just the sound of my hand gliding across the page in a fluent motion. Now after praying that the Holy Spirit would be the one writing the story, I feel confident that my distractions will fade away as the morning mist on a chilly fall day.

Let me take you back to June 8th of 2018. My beautiful friend and I got to spend half a day together. Much to my excitement we were able to pray, spend time in God‘s word, talk about questions and struggles we have, eat some Mexican food, go on a walk, and use some special workout equipment. I guess something didn’t sit well with my left ankle after our exciting fun day, and I ended up with a severe ankle sprain. The hilarious thing about it was that it didn’t start hurting until a while later when I was heading home. My ankle started throbbing and I had no clue what to do, so I prayed and gave up all future plans for that month. Over the course of about a week I was put on bed rest with an ankle brace and started putting pressure and weight back on the ankle towards the end of that weekend. Fast forward to the 19th of June. Fair week! Wahoo! This fast and furious crazy week has got to be one of the most fun parts of my year. Hence, it is super fantastic! My ankle still has a brace, it is not completely mobile yet, and does not fit into my cowboy boots. I'm thinking "What am I gonna do?" The year before Pippi (my pony) had an injury, which hindered us from showing. "Now of course it's me! Right? Ahhhhhh!" After many tears dripped off my hot cheeks, I calmed myself down. God was going to show me something through all of this frustration. I talked to Him about using me as a light to someone, and trusted He would plant seeds in a heart. Even though this probably wasn't going to be my best showing week, I would stay content and stand firm in Christ my solid rock.

Like the apostle Paul, I was learning Philippians 4: 11b-13 KJV

"For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Definitions-

Abased: To make lower in value or status, humble.

Abound: To exist in large numbers or amounts.

I didn't know who God was going to have see Christ in me. Much to my surprise three young girls in the stalls right across from me, had been watching me from afar. Their dad talked to me about how they had been looking up to me as a role model all week. By the end of the fair I had given several free hugs to each of them. God could've used so many other wonderful people that week to be their friend, but He heard my prayer. Jesus always brings a smile to my face when I need one the most.

I learned:

>Contentment in pain and frustration.

>God is always listening for you to talk to Him and is ready to answer your prayers.

>No matter what situation, God uses your weakness for His strength.

>God uses struggles to help us draw near to Him.

> 1 Timothy 4:12 "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

Do not wait until tomorrow to pour out your whole heart to God for He is always listening. Just like I wasn't able to see God's plan in my situation, you probably can't either. Just remember that even in your pain God is working out all things together for good. Love you all my beautifuls! Always remember whose you are! You are loved by the giver of love Himself. Wow! Feel free to email me at thejoysblog@gmail.com with prayer requests, questions, or post ideas. I would be happy to talk with you and get to know you better!

Love,

Kaitlyn Joy