When life sometimes brings us to our knees in confusion, we find ourselves asking why this or why that happened…… and why us? Why don’t we understand the reasoning behind certain circumstances that overcome our thoughts and hearts? Let’s face it, we as women are always trying to figure everything out and put the pieces together. We are naturally fixers. Unfortunately, there are some things we just can’t fix and certainly some things are just not meant to be fixed. So, we find ourselves pondering the question why, over and over and over and over……. well you get the point. Maybe we can stop asking the question why, and instead step back and ask ourselves, what can I learn from this? I think when we ask ourselves, “What can I learn?” we gain a sense of release rather than always trying to DO SOMETHING to fix or figure out our problems. When we allow the thought process of why bog us down, we will never grasp ahold of what it truly is that we are supposed to gain in wisdom and knowledge. The continual mindset of asking why will wipe out every bone of thankfulness in our bodies. When unthankfulness happens, roots of bitterness creep into the soil of our hearts and plant themselves right in the middle of our being, resulting in our joy being sucked out continuously until we are dry— BONE DRY!

Naturally I am a fighter when it comes to hard circumstances. I will tough it out for as long as I can until God finds a way to whisper in my ear, “ARE YOU DONE? CAN I TAKE OVER NOW?” At that moment of surrender, a thousand pounds lift off my shoulders. “Yes, Lord,” I reply. It’s the moment of my surrender that an overflowing peace washes over my body and calms my wayward heart. Freedom takes the reigns of my emotions and thoughts as I hand them over to a God who can clearly do more than I ever could do in the first place.                   

Some circumstances are not meant for us to understand, and some of us will never know the answer to our why. What I do know is that we have an open opportunity to learn from our circumstances. Remember what Jesus said to His disciples in John 16:12? ” I have many more things to say to you but you cannot bear them now.” Could it be the very thing we are trying to figure out and understand is God’s way of protecting us because He is aware that we cannot bear the reasoning? Remember, some things aren’t just about us. This significant problem could be happening for something greater, in which we may never see come to light. If you find yourself in a difficult situation today, I want to encourage you to grab a piece of paper and a pen. Write down EVERYTHING YOU HAVE LEARNED from the circumstances encompassing your heart. 

Here are some (not all) of the things I have learned during a tough season in my life. These were not easy lessons for me to learn, (humbling in fact). I have found myself to be thankful for the season instead of dreadful. I’m thankful for the refining process of life even though it hurts, hurts A LOT!

• I have learned that no matter how CHRISTIAN I am, I am human- and still need a lot of work.
• I have learned that God is always with me even when it doesn’t seem like it.
• I have learned that I don’t know everything, to stay teachable. When I do, God will blow my mind.
• I have learned to let go of MY dreams and desires and conform them to God’s will for my life.
• I have learned that people come and go, but God is my firm foundation.
• I have learned that God wants nothing more than my heart.
• I have learned the Christian Life is nothing more than being found and rooted in Christ. Everything else is secondary.
• I have learned that it’s okay people don’t like me because God does, and that’s all that matters.
• I have learned that it is okay for God to say NO because He’s God and knows what’s best for me.
• I have learned not to find my identity in any titles but see myself through the eyes of my Father.
• I have learned that no matter how hard I fight, God ALWAYS, ALWAYS wins.
• I have learned circumstances in my life aren’t always meant for me to understand. They’re for something greater than me.
• I have learned the BIG roots that I thought I once had were actually really, really small.
• I have learned to stand up for the important things.
• I have learned sitting with Jesus is more fulfilling than working for Jesus.
• I have learned my purpose in Life is to KNOW GOD. That’s it! 

When we write down the things we have learned, it allows us to see more clearly what it is God was/is working on within our hearts. He shows us things about ourselves that we ourselves aren’t even aware. What we learn brings clarity to our muddy view of our circumstances, but we have to be willing to learn and be teachable during the process.

Take a moment. Ask yourself, why are you here on earth? Why do you wake up every morning? Why do you have breath today? What is the purpose of this LIFE???

If you answer anything other than to Know God, you’re greatly missing the point of life itself. If we don’t have the right answer to this question, then we certainly won’t be able to answer the tough questions that come our way. It’s not until we take a step back and reflect on the journey of our lives that we are able to see the hand of protection God has had over us this entire time, even during the hard times. While life on this side of eternity is hard, let’s band together, love one another, pray, (seriously pray) for each other, encourage, and uplift the people around us. Each of us has a story that is still being written by the author of Life Himself, GOD.

Jessica Parnell is a Leavell College Student at NOBTS. She is a ministry wife and homeschool mom in Las Vegas, NV where she serves in ministry alongside her husband. Follow Jessica on her blog at godswoventruth.wordpress.com.