Grace in the Test
Through recent storms in life, I have seen God is gracious even through trials. After all, it is His nature.
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” (Lamentations 3: 22-23)
My pregnancy has been relatively smooth through the first and 90% of the second trimester. Then the pain began. An incessant migraine that never left. From February 1st to March 21st, I had a migraine that no nutritional, over the counter, or prescription intervention could avail. It was pure misery. The thing that did the trick was a small procedure performed by a neurologist that involved two small needle pricks to the back of my head. It is called a nerve block.
But along the way, in late February, a perfect storm of events led to my hospitalization. After lack of hydration during a storm power outage event, nausea, and additional headaches from caffeine…my doctor advised me to enter the labor and delivery triage. While this was a trying weekend for Vic and myself, I saw God’s graciousness in the timing of this trial. It happened on a weekend not during a busy work week; Vic was able to be by my side as he wasn’t leaving until the following day for a week-long out of town school trip.
A few weeks later, the evening of my nerve block procedure, I ate something that didn’t agree with my stomach. From Tuesday evening through Saturday I couldn’t keep anything down but water, grapes, and mashed potatoes. It was scary to drop weight and worry about the baby not getting proper nutrition. Fortunately, I saw God’s grace through the trial again in that my doctor told me the baby’s weight wasn’t directly correlated to mine and that she would maintain her weight. I also was able to get my strength back a few days before my baby shower.
In the midst of the trials, I try to keep a positive outlook. After all, trials are unavoidable in life. Our Savior even says so.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Through my painful moments, I clung tight to this verse: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)
I knew on the other side of the storms, I’d have a testimony to share with others. It was so great to share with friends at church when my headaches passed. I think it’s great to share with others when God comes through for us; it shows their prayers are heard and gives them hope during their trials.
Someone at church told me, we’re either in a posture of prayer or praise. We’re either praying through a storm or praising on the other side of one. I hope this encourages you wherever you find yourself today.
