I have a scripture that I keep posted on my computer monitor so I can see it everyday all day.

"Fear not , for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10.

  I've learned though all the trials I've experienced in my life, that believe it or not God does love us and He is right beside us through everything. God has never said this life would be easy, He never said become a christian and everything will be given to you. Jesus did say "There will be trouble", and when there is look to the cross for peace. Christ has shown us how to pick up our cross and carry it beside Him, as hard as it may be. The bible says to rejoice in our suffering... why, because God is purifying you for great things to be done in his name.

Every hardship we've been through in our lives is God bringing us closer to Him. He wants us to see Him and only Him, to trust Him, not even ourselves but Him alone. He kept after me for thirty-five years and through the loss of my son I have become closer to God more than I've been in my life. I knew it was God's will for Jack to be with Him because I trusted only God to heal my son and He did. I can say with a blessed heart that my son lived a full life because he lived the life God intended for him, 58 days nothing less and nothing more. Jack's purpose was complete so God called him home. And I praise God everyday, even when it hurts. Hang on to God, stay encouraged in His word. I used to read the New Testament out loud to Jack, each book individually and I had more personal growth through that than reading the bible 100 times alone. But I learned I had to focus on God's word to stay strong, it wasn't about reading it on Sundays and Wednesdays but everyday and that's a challenge, and a reward when done right.

Learn more about suffering and trials in the bible, that is what has helped me more than anything else.

  "Suffering is a tool God uses to get our attention and to accomplish His purposes in our lives. It is designed to build our trust in the Him, but suffering requires the right response if it is to be successful in accomplishing God’s purposes. Suffering forces us to turn from trust in our own resources to living by faith in God’s resources." The Doctrine of Suffering -Bible.org


It's hard to see His blessings during the storm but it will pass, it always does, we just have to be ready for the next cloud and know when it comes it too will pass. We are living for our eternal lives promised, not for the world we're surrounded by.