A friend and I recently reflected on some of the difficult things we have walked through over the last several years. We were honest about the pain and hardships, but we but were encouraged by the things we learned during and since that time. It reminded me of something I read several years ago about the rings of a tree.

If you’ve ever looked at a fallen tree or a tree stump, you’ve seen the different rings. You can use the rings to determine the age of the tree and also the weather history in that area and much more. Wider rings represent years of amble rain and precipitation; narrow rings represent seasons of drought.  These narrower rings are actually the stronger rings of a tree, providing strength and support to the tree.

Looking, despite the pain, we could see the good that had come in our lives because of that time. We could see the strength gained because we trusted Him, even when it hurt and we didn’t want to.

I do not know what you’re walking through or the depths of the pain you may be experiencing now or have experienced in the past, but I know you are not alone. Your Creator is there with you every step of the way. He has good things for you. He brings beauty from ashes and life to dry bones. I pray you find strength and courage from this time.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28 NLT).

Note: I acknowledge there are some very painful and hurtful things. I am not saying we need to be thankful for the evil things that happen in this world, but to be thankful for what God can do in and through the pain and suffering we experience in this fallen world.