From Suffering to Blessing | #MyFridayStory No. 366

Twenty years ago, I spent New Year’s in rehab, a low point in my life marked by alcoholism and cocaine dependence. I had hit rock bottom, and in desperation, I reached out to my minister. He didn’t judge me; he walked alongside me and made the arrangements to go to rehab. That decision wasn’t easy, but it was necessary.

Looking back, I see now that God never left my side—not in the darkness of my addiction and not in the difficult days of recovery. He was there, steady and faithful, even when I couldn’t see Him. He helped me pick myself up, one tenuous step at a time, guiding me toward the life He had always intended for me.

This January, as I started a new year, I opened my Bible to the first chapter of 1 Peter and continued reading and reflecting on it each night. Slowly, intentionally, I let the words sink in.

One evening, as I read 1 Peter 5:6-11, I stumbled upon a note I had underlined in rehab all those years ago:

"If you will humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, in His good time He will lift you up. Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you."

The memory of writing those words came rushing back, but this time, they resonated differently. I realised that long before I could consciously grasp what was happening, I had already begun living the truth of this passage.

The passage speaks of enduring suffering for the Lord and trusting that He will restore, strengthen, and bless us—not just in the next life but in this one, too. It calls us to be steadfast, to resist evil, and to stand firm in our faith, even when life feels overwhelming… actually, that’s when you should knuckle down on your faith.

The beauty of these verses lies in their promise of blessings in the here and now. How often do we pause to recognise the blessings we’re living in the present moment? It’s easy to look back on blessings we’ve received or to hope for those yet to come, but how often do we acknowledge the goodness of God right where we are?

Today, I can say with humility and gratitude that I am living a blessed life. This doesn’t mean it’s without challenges. There are still struggles, still moments of doubt. But through it all, I feel God’s presence, His love, and His faithfulness. He has taken my suffering and transformed it into something beautiful.

We often ask God to change our circumstances when we’re in pain. But how often do we ask Him to change us? To use our suffering to shape us, refine us, and draw us closer to Him? Transformation isn’t easy. It requires deep soul-searching, contemplation, and a willingness to endure. But it’s through this process that we grow into the people God has called us to be.

As I reflect on this journey, I am reminded that God’s goodness isn’t contingent on our circumstances. He is good in the highs and the lows, in the joy and the suffering. And His blessings aren’t limited to moments that fit our interpretation of "good."

If you’re in a season of struggle, I encourage you to hold on. God is working in your life, even in the pain. Pray, reflect, read the Scriptures, and let Him transform you. The blessings are already here, unfolding in ways we may not immediately see.

Because God is good. And He never leaves our side—not in the darkness, not in the light.

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to be generous! ??

As always, thanks for reading. ??

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