As I was driving home from work one day recently, I felt the urge to write down what all God has brought me through. This isn’t the first time I’ve felt it but it’s maybe the first time I’ve acted on it. So finally, after a couple hours of being home, I made my list.

I’m 27 years old and it was incredible to reflect on all God has brought me through. I’ve been through some pretty rough times as I’m sure all of you have. I’ve experienced times of anger, frustration, fear, loneliness, fatigue, heartbreak, sorrow, and grief. I’ve also experienced times of joy, unexplainable peace, and triumph. Some of the hard times were brought on by my own poor decisions in life but mostly what I couldn’t control.

Three very important lessons I’ve learned:

God will see you through it all Temporary setbacks means future triumph is right around the corner Choose what is best, not what is easiest

As I was writing down my list, memories flooded my thoughts along with the raw emotions. Among those were years of school that felt unending. Multiple breakups with guys and waiting for my spouse that felt like FOREVER. Years of competition involving lots of sweat, dedication, and facing fear. Pain from my parent’s divorce, financial difficulties, and my dad’s terminal cancer were definitely the most trying on my heart.

As I was caring for my dad, there were nights I felt I couldn’t take care of him anymore. I had quit my full-time job to become a 24/7 caregiver. There were long nights that involved tears and crying out to Jesus for strength to continue. It was in those moments of fatigue, anger, fear, and heartbreak that I felt an unexplainable peace that only God can give. God met me right there in those dark moments with that peace and in coming weeks, the strength of heart to continue.

One month after losing him, I met my husband. After 24 years of waiting for the right one to marry, I finally met my spouse. It’s frustrating to feel like God is ignoring us or doesn’t understand yet He ALWAYS comes through at the perfect time.

Then I was hit with a crucial crossroads in my life. I had the choice to shrink back and give into selfishness or face my fear and overcome. Garrett saw through me to who I truly was and spoke life into my future at a time when I was becoming a bitter, broken, and selfish person. God stepped in using Garrett. It was a lot easier to choose the wrong path but it was the best option to choose the harder path.

The scripture that got me and my dad through some of the darkest times of our lives is now etched on my dad’s headstone. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” If you keep reading, you gain even more assurance in verse 37, one of my favorite verses. “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.”

There isn’t a time I can recall that I was worse off after facing an obstacle. Temporary setbacks turn into future triumphs. Of course, it’s up to you to shrink back in the face of adversity or tackle it head-on. I’ve gotten stronger and more mature through it all. At the time it felt like things were going to break me and maybe it did but God has always helped me put the pieces back together. Life has trying seasons but also times of full of cherished joy and enjoyment. We have a daily choice to make of what kind of attitude we will have that in effect determines the day we will have.

When we are caught off guard by a new obstacle, it’s easy to let the same worries and fears creep in like in years past. That’s why it’s important to reflect on what all you have been through. Without God, there’s no way I would have triumphed in the face of adversity. I challenge you to come up with your own list of things God has gotten you through. So cheer up when you face new obstacles knowing that God has gotten you through so much already will get you through the rest too.

A Prayer For You

Lord thank You for being there through it all. You’ve never left my side. You’re making me stronger and never give me more than I can handle. Please guide me and show me how to become the woman of God you’ve created me to be. I place all my hope and trust in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.