What is it that allows one to walk through difficult, sometimes tragic, trials… and come out on the other side with their faith intact?

As I’ve thought about this question in the last few weeks of walking through a serious and unexpected health event with my husband, I keep coming back to my strong roots in the evangelical Christian faith and the consistency with which I was soaked in the beliefs, values and customs therein.

You see, I was raised to believe that God will never leave me…that he is faithful, unwavering and true. I was taught to believe that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God and that its promises are completely trustworthy and eternal. The fact that God is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent, is ingrained in my being. I learned from an early age that God loves me with an infinite love and has an expansive and specific plan for my life that may contain many twists and turns, but will ultimately bring him glory. I was taught that when I accepted Jesus as my Savior, not only did I begin a personal relationship with him, but the Holy Spirit came to me to forever be a source of power, comfort and strength just when I needed it.

I grew up watching not only my parents, but many other faithful friends within our church family walk out their faith with peace, courage, and confidence–the kind that only the Holy Spirit can give.

And through the twists, turns, trials, and triumphs of my life, God has grown and strengthened my faith in Him. He has opened my eyes to areas of weakness and softened my spirit where I needed softening. He has humbled me and allowed me to see glimpses of why I have walked the path that I have walked. And he has allowed me the opportunity to share what I have learned with others who are slowly making their way through the cracks and crevices of life a few years behind me.

My faith is strong because I was set on a firm foundation and surrounded by many faithful saints who reflected Jesus to me and taught me the Word of God. My faith is strong because of God’s faithfulness, discipline, and grace.

I pray that God will allow you to stand firm through your trials and find the blessing within, trusting in his unwavering love and his infinite wisdom.

And I pray that you will raise your own children on the firm and eternal foundation of Jesus Christ.