Dear God—Thank You For The Hard Times

I’ve been going through a long period of problems, and I’ll be honest—I’ve done my share of whining, complaining and asking why I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.

But, I’ve spent the past few days trying to find peace and make sense of it all. My world may seem like it’s all crumbling down to pieces right now, but God—thank you for the hard times. 

I admit that I have been having a hard time finding things to be thankful for because whenever I looked around me, all I would see heartache and chaos, and not see anything to be grateful for. It took some time, but I realized that I was looking in the wrong places. I realized that focusing on my problems was only making me feel ungrateful, angry, and bitter.

God, I thank you for the hard times because I know that even though the times are difficult; you are preparing me to welcome blessings in the future. I’m grateful for what you will teach me through this difficult time. I know that by going through a trial makes me learn things I wouldn’t learn otherwise. There are some important lessons in life that are only taught through difficult times and they can become the silver lining to the darkness.

Hard times will happen, but they alter me and change the way I view my life. Hard times make me appreciate who and what matters in my life. Hard times make me work harder. Hard times make me wiser. Hard times force me to make the changes I need to make in my life. Hard times make me dig deep within me to do some necessary inner work. Hard times show me how strong I am and how lucky I am to exist. After I have survived a difficult time, I have deep gratitude for life. Now, I can clearly see that none of my life experiences go to waste.

Thank you for the hard times because it’s through the difficult times in my life, that I am able to grow. I am being tested so I can rise higher, push through and come out the other side so much better.

Thank you for the hard times because nothing builds my strength like surviving difficulty. Nothing forces me to fight back to come out on top as hard times do.

Thank you for teaching me to trust your plan. I do not need to figure everything out. You already know the best plan for my life. It is very hard for me to learn to let things go, but when I do, I often find peace. That peace comes from knowing you’re in control, even when I have no idea what’s going on.

Thank you for not letting me go through these hard times alone; you’re always there. You know what I am going through and you know how you’re going to bring me out.

God, thank you for having your best interest at heart, for having a plan to bless me, and for loving me enough to walk through the treacherous forest alongside with me.

Thank you for being with me through difficult times.