“We are refined through enduring the hardship, not by escaping it.”

The hard things I’ve gone through –

The failures –

The hurts –

The sins –

The fear & turmoil –

The trying when it seemed hopeless –

The striving –

The tears –

The loss –

The suffering –

The insecurities –

The worries –

Through it all, I’ve learned. I’ve grown. Not in my own doing but through God. He has refined me – shaped me – changed me. When I look in the mirror, the girl looking back at me is different.

If all of life was easy- if God kept us all from the hard- would there be any growth? Any change? Any need for God? Would the good moments be as good?

While difficult to go through, I am truly thankful for the hards because they have made me who I am today.

The good is that much better.

The laughter is that much brighter.

The mornings bring new hope.

Refined.