Encouragement Friday: Bittersweet

I am currently reading a book by Shauna Niequist called bittersweet, it talks about the ups and downs in our lives and how God uses those times to shape us into the godly men and women that he has called us to be. “I believe that God is making all things new. I believe that Christ overcame death and that pattern is apparent all through life and history: life from death, water from a stone, redemption from failure, connection from alienation. I believe that suffering is part of the narrative, and that nothing really good gets built when everything's easy."--Shauna Niequist.  Think about this quote for second. When I read this, it definitely pulled at my heart strings because it's so true in each of our lives. Suffering is something that helps us to grow not only as a person but in our relationship with God. Suffering is what get's us to the growth along the way, even though it's not easy. Just as Shauna says, "I believe that suffering is part of the narrative, and that nothing really good gets built when everything is easy." That's right sisters, if everything was easy there would be no growth. Because sisters, God takes those times when were suffering and shapes them into something beautiful. He's takes the mess in our lives and uses it for his purpose, he takes the bitter and the sweet and makes it beautiful. He uses us despite our weaknesses, despite our doubts, and despite whatever we may be going through. Through it all, he is right there in the bitter and the sweet, ready to make us whole once again.So i encourage you to, embrace both the bitter and sweet of life and know that God is right there with you through it all.

“When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate. And when life is bitter, say thank you and grow.”-Shauna Niequist

Check out the book here---Bittersweet, Shauna Niequist