I recently read a quote by Christine Caine that says:

“The most difficult time in your life may be the border to your promised land.”

These difficult times are God’s way of shaping and refining us for the future things He has in store for us. Everywhere we go and everything we’ve been through gives us practice for the bigger obstacles along the way. I like to think of these seasons as “bridge seasons”. You see, bridges represent not being where you once were, yet not being where you want to be, or in our case as believers, where God is taking us. Sometimes it’s hard to be in a season of waiting for God to reveal His plan, but oftentimes, His plans are bigger than we could ever imagine for ourselves. So the waiting becomes necessary because it’s in these times that God can prepare us for what He knows is coming.

How many times do you hear people say that looking back, they’re thankful that their plans didn’t work out? When we’re on the other side of trial, it’s easier to trust God because we’re in the middle of the blessing; however, we must remember that theblessing is coming while we are still in the middle of our bridge. It’s never fun being stuck between where you were and where you want to be, but it’s in those sweet moments of vulnerability that we are able to surrender it all to God. It’s these little moments in life that we get to give God every piece of us because we know He treasures all the broken fragments of our perfectly imperfect lives.

When we trust Him and seek His presence consistently, we can appreciate where we’ve been broken because we get to experience the beauty that is Jesus’ completion and wholeness in our lives.

“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord”

Psalm 31:24 is the perfect encouragement for us to adopt this position no matter the circumstance. Being courageous about God’s plan for our lives is the best kind of attitude to take on and in turn God gives us His strength. I love that He gives us his divine joy to strengthen us (Nehemiah 8:10) in our times of sorrow. These verses don’t mean that we won’t feel sadness, but that as long as we have courage about what’s ahead, God will strengthen our hearts, and it will be easier for us to face our tomorrows with His joy in our hearts.

Sometimes life throws some pretty rough things at us, but that doesn’t mean it has to make us rough. There will be seasons of trial that really aren’t that fun to walk through, but as a believer, I cling to the truth that God has me in His hand and will work all things for my good and His glory (Romans 8:28).

So as I walk my bridge and embrace this season that I’m in, I’m challenging you and encouraging you to keep pressing and leaning into Him today.

Let His joy be your strength today. No matter how long the bridge has been or how painful this “thing” is in your life, cling to the promise that you’ve been given in the light, and look forward for the destination ahead. Though it looks dark, gloomy and the road is long, 1) You have this. 2) God has you. 3)His plans are GOOD for you! Bridges are good and they are beautiful. Don’t let the journey get you down. But take it one step at a time, one day at a time and enjoy the journey. Pretty soon you’ll be able to look back on where you were and where God led you to find yourself standing in your promise!