Overcoming Trials

Hi there!  I'm Anna, one of Cherstin's sisters-in-law.  I am delighted to have been invited to post on this wonderful new blog she has created, and I hope it will become a source of inspiration and light to many women!

I had the opportunity yesterday to enjoy some time at the beach nearby our home with some family members; my sister's family, who were visiting for the week from Arizona, and my brother's family, who live nearby.  As our little kiddoes were happily turning themselves into sand monsters, and our bigger kiddoes were enthralled with finding artifacts in the sand using the metal detector their uncle had brought, us girls enjoyed a rare chance to just sit and visit.  In the course of our conversation, the topic turned to Elizabeth Smart.  My sister-in-law shared with us a bit about the book she had been reading by her, entitled, "My Story".  After having just been discussing this amazing woman, I was pleasantly surprised to also see a quote by her in a handout that was given at church today!

One thing that happened after her 9 month ordeal with her kidnappers particularly impressed me.  Her mother took her aside and counselled her to not let this man who had done so much evil to her take another second of her life away.  Elizabeth took this to heart and has gone on to live a wonderful and productive life.  She is a great advocate and spokesperson for those who have been abused or hurt, and has been able to show many, many people that despite the worst the world will throw at them, they have the power to rise up and let the healing light and hope of Christ's atonement into their lives and hearts.

I love the scripture in Romans 8:28;  "All things work together for good, to them that love God."

Even when we have difficult trials in our lives, or we may not understand why something is happening to us, if we do our best to show God our love for him, our burdens can be turned in to blessings, for us, or others around us.  We don't always see the master picture, but the Master does, and we can take great comfort in knowing that he is always there for us.

Elizabeth Smart said: "It is not what happens to us, but how we react that determines the rest of our life."

I am grateful for her example and many other women in my life, who, regardless of their circumstances, stay close to the Lord and bless the lives of all whom they come in contact with. I hope that all of us can remember the famous quote; "10% of life is what happens to us.  90% is how we react!"

Anna is a periodical contributor for 'Strength in Charity'