Last night Laurent and I had an interesting conversation over dinner about "thriving". We talked about the time about 8 or 10 years ago when Laurent felt like he wasn't really thriving. This was during the stage that he questioned what good he could do on this earth with his brain injury and not being able to work full-time to support his family. It was a time of grieving lost dreams and doubting one's purpose in life. So I asked Laurent if he could climb in a time machine and go back to visit himself back then, what would he tell himself? His answer was, "I would tell myself to be patient and see what God can make out of you."
His words struck me as wise advice for any of us going through trials. We doubt. We question. We wonder. And we sorrow because we cannot see the end and how things could possibly turn out well. I believe his advice is one key to thriving during adversity. We must have patience - patience with ourselves, patience with family and friends around us, and patience with God whose timing is perfect. If we trust in Him and have faith that He wants us to thrive, we can be led to know what to do so He can make something glorious out of us.
I am reminded of a quote I heard as a freshman in college from President Ezra Taft Benson,
“Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He can deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, and pour out peace.”
All of those promises sounds like attributes of thriving to me. If we allow Him to mold us and fashion us like a Great Potter or Master Sculptor, we may be surprised to find out what He has in store for us! I guarantee it will be far better than we ever thought. My challenge for us today is to "Be patient, and see what God can make out of you."
His words struck me as wise advice for any of us going through trials. We doubt. We question. We wonder. And we sorrow because we cannot see the end and how things could possibly turn out well. I believe his advice is one key to thriving during adversity. We must have patience - patience with ourselves, patience with family and friends around us, and patience with God whose timing is perfect. If we trust in Him and have faith that He wants us to thrive, we can be led to know what to do so He can make something glorious out of us.
I am reminded of a quote I heard as a freshman in college from President Ezra Taft Benson,
“Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He can deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, and pour out peace.”
All of those promises sounds like attributes of thriving to me. If we allow Him to mold us and fashion us like a Great Potter or Master Sculptor, we may be surprised to find out what He has in store for us! I guarantee it will be far better than we ever thought. My challenge for us today is to "Be patient, and see what God can make out of you."