what i didn’t realize, he knew

Purpose in Trials 

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Romans 8:18

This day five years ago was a Wednesday.

This day five years ago my life changed drastically.

It was the day my abuela was murdered.

It was the day that many doubts and questions flooded into my mind: 

• “Why did God allow such an amazing, God-fearing woman to be killed?”
• “Why did God have to take her away so soon?”
• “Why, God?”

But what I didn’t realize, for this time that I was so upset with God, was that He had His whole plan of her sweet life in His hands even before time began. 

He knew she was going to live for Him.

What I didn’t realize was that this tragedy brought my whole family so much closer together.

He knew this death would help us lean on each other through hard times.

What I didn’t realize was that the Lord knows, even in the future, how her story might help so many others.

He knew from the beginning all of this was for a plan, a purpose.

What I didn’t realize was that my abuela had lived so purposefully that her life was most definitely not wasted. 

God knew. God knows.

From my own experience, I realized that …

In trials, we can sometimes: 

• Wonder how something went so terribly wrong and blame God
• Expect God to make everything exactly the way it was and give us our easy, perfect lives
• Choose not to give our doubts and worries up to Him 

These ideas that we accept make us forget or not see the wonder God has for our lives and even hinder us from living the best we can for Him.

From my own experience, I realized that …

In trials, we should:   

• Realize that God is the One in control of our lives and praise Him
• Be ready to hold on to God and His truth when not everything goes how we want
• Fully give our troubles and weight of the world to the One who created the world 

So today, September 17th, is one of the worst days of my life, but there was somehow beauty, in ways that I might still not see, that came out of this tragedy.   

There is always a bigger plan than what you can see. He is in control of everything.

Knowing this, we can let go of all our doubts, anxieties, worries, hardships and let God use us in such a way that is glorifying to His purpose for our lives. 

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 

– Makenzy