For You Not To You

 Happy Friday, Friends!

I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day begins to dawn in my Sweet Home Alabama! 😊

Earlier this week I started a new Bible Study titled Trust In The Trials: A 5-Day Plan For Hope In The Hard Times by Susie O’Neal. It came flying out the gate!! I want to share an excerpt from Day 1 which is titled, Bind My Wandering Heart to Thee. Here is the excerpt:

“But what if the trials, hardships, struggles, and detours were actually for your good?

What if these difficult seasons were meant to help you destroy idols buried in your heart? What if God needed you to make mistakes and suffer hardships to mold you, grow you, and sanctify you into the mature believer he has called you to be? What if all of these things happened for you not to you?

Perhaps the trial feels never ending because instead of growing better, you pulled away and became bitter. Every season of life, the highs and the lows, are all needed for you to learn to give grace more freely, to forgive others more easily, to show compassion more deeply, to protect others more boldly, to soften hearts more humbly, and to love unconditionally.”

Pretty profound perspective shift, isn’t it?

“For you not to you” – Does this make everything better and go away? No. But it does change the way we look at whatever it is we are going through. I have also heard it said, “Instead of asking, ‘why me?’ ask ‘what is this trying to teach me?’” Shifting our perspective can shift our attitude which will change how we experience whatever it is we are going through.

“Trial feels never ending…” – Ever been there? Where you were bitter? Yeah, me too. And as I sit back and reflect, I realize that it was only after I let the bitterness go that I was able to learn and grow from the situation/circumstance.

“Every season of life, the highs and the lows, are all needed…” – Would any of us choose to go through the lows? I would guess not. However, again as I reflect, I see that it was in those seasons that I did learn and grow the most. And, somewhat strangely, there is a peace in my spirit when I realize they are all needed. Instead of the self-defeating talk, I realize that they were necessary steps to me becoming the man, husband, Dad, leader, and friend that I am today. And most assuredly, there will be opportunities to learn and grow in the future.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend, a Happy Thanksgiving, please cherish your precious families, and please stay well!

Kev