I swung myself on to the mare’s saddle and slipped my feet in the metal stirrups. Running my hands through his long mane, I squeezed him forward. Talking gently to him, I watched his ears as he relaxed and dropped his head. A few years ago, this would have been a weekly occurrence for me. But now, after seven months of not riding, crutches, different doctors, and surgery, I was finally allowed to get on a horse again. I’d been anticipating and counting down to this day for weeks, and I wasn’t disappointed! While I am incredibly thankful to be healing and back to horseback riding, I’m also thankful to God for teaching me lessons throughout this time.
Throughout the whole hip journey, God’s shown me that He’s faithful. That He never gives up on us, and that He’s got a plan. He can use struggles, heartbreak, and pain to build character and, ultimately, bring Him glory. Romans 5:3-5 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” This has been one of the passages that’s really stood out to me lately, reminding me that through every struggle I go through, God’s love never fails. We can rejoice in our sufferings instead of turning bitter, knowing that God’s going to continue to mold our character even throughout the hard times.
Hard times doesn’t mean God’s forgotten or given up on you. He’ll be right alongside you no matter what, slowly shaping and molding you during the struggles. If you’re struggling with something in life right now, know that God can use even your current circumstances to grow you in Him.
Kayla Joy
