If That's What It Takes

There is a song by Mercy Me "Bring the Rain," that I've always loved. Its verses and melody has touched a part of my heart that was always stubborn - always wanting God to bless me with the good stuff, and none of the tough stuff in life.

I haven't talked much about my struggles at work here mostly because of an internal rule that my daily victories and struggles at work should stay there (minus the vent sessions had with my husband and family). I tried my best not to bring work home.

But lately it's been so overwhelming and heavy that I've been baffled that I can't find peace in the midst of it. I would pray the entire way to work "please make today OK, make me patient, make me strong," but everyday I would come home more defeated than the last.

So during a drive last week I was listening to that song.

"Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Being me anything that brings You glory
I know they'll be days when this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You, Jesus bring the rain...

And it hit me. All this time that I've been praying for my own personal comfort I had been missing the point. All of these struggles were opportunities to praise God during this storm in my life. The good times aren't the only blessings we are given.

God showed me I had been taking his faithfulness for granted and not given Him enough credit. This time at work, the times when it feels like a gorilla is sitting on my chest, are the best opportunities to share Gods love and grace under fire. He will see me through.