Stacey and I had two of our married friends over for dinner recently.  The wife sat down in our living room recliner and said, “I love this chair.  For a while it was the one good thing in my life”.   She said that because 5 years ago she came to live with us after finding out that her husband of only 8 months had cheated on her and was leaving her.  She was depressed, discouraged, hurting, and angry.  Yet in the middle of all that she became very attached to the recliner in our living room.  The chair gave her some measure of comfort during a time of nearly unbearable pain.

Often times we feel like that.  When things get difficult, depressing, discouraging and hopeless, we find ourselves latching on to the few things that bring us just a little joy or escape.  But what if the little joyful things aren’t the only good things in our lives during painful seasons?  What if the best things in our lives are the painful seasons?

With 20/20 hindsight, I can say that cheating husband and the failed marriage is one of the best things that ever happened to our friend.  Why?  Because she found an inner strength and a deeper faith during that time.  A couple of years later, she also upgraded and found a godly man who loves Jesus more than anything on earth.  After helping our friend through her painful divorce, I had the privilege of presiding over her marriage to her wonderful new husband.  Today they are building a family together, they are debt free, and I couldn’t be more proud of them both!

What are you facing that seems too big to overcome?  What’s the one good thing in your life that gives you the tiniest bit of comfort?  Hopefully today you’ll draw a little more comfort from the fact that the pain you’re currently facing may the best thing in your life.  It may turn out to be the best thing because of what it is doing to shape, strengthen, and change you.  Remember during your season of struggle:  God never wastes a hurt!