As I was watching a Christian television network and happened to run across a personal interview with gospel singer, Vanessa Bell Armstrong. She was sharing her very touching testimony about her son who has passed away. Listening to her story was captivating enough, but then she went on to say that she was just about to go on stage to begin a concert when she received the phone call that her son Terrance had passed away. Naturally you would think the automatic reaction would be that she had promoter go on stage and cancel the concert or continue with other artists that were scheduled before or after her. That didn’t happen. Ms. Armstrong said that she went on stage and sang like she never sang before! She knew that continuing to do what God created her to do was the thing that would get her through this very difficult time. She also shared that this was right on the heels of losing her mother just eight short months prior whom she was extremely close to. Anyone who has lost a mother (and I have) knows that is a pain that never really goes away it just becomes a little more manageable as times goes by. I have heard the saying that a parent should never have to bury their child; that pain is almost unbearable. Yet, Ms. Armstrong suffered both losses and made the decision to worship God in spite of it all.

I always say that life is full of choices (and indeed it is). However there are things in life that God doesn’t allow us to have a say so. In His infinite wisdom, He knows that we would never choose hardship or adverse circumstances. Our human nature would always cause us to turn toward the easiest route in life and the path of least resistance. He knows that in so doing we would never be able to truly appreciate the blessings if we never had any hardships. As odd as it may seem, a life with only good things would soon become boring to us. Our human nature is a peculiar thing, but the Creator knows us best – better than we could ever know ourselves.

There is a way that God will recognize, honor, and bless us that is contingent upon how we go through life’s circumstances. I heard a saying on the radio that said “If you gotta go through it, why not grow through it”. It’s amazing how you know things and have even been told things in different ways, but sometimes words hit you at just the right time you need to hear them. It’s that point of impact that makes all the difference. How do we go through these difficult times in our lives? Well, you go through it God’s way!

WORSHIP!!! Your life was intended to give God glory! He created each one of us in His image and everything we do should be about Him. Our worship must never be dependent upon our feelings or our happiness. If that is the case then our worship is not sincere. That was the most powerful part of Vanessa Bell Armstrong’s testimony – she didn’t let ANYTHING stop her worship. In fact she intensified what she knew she was born to do!Continue to pray even when you don’t feel like it. Don’t make it harder than it has to be. Just TALK to God and tell Him how you really feel. If this “circumstance” was brought on by your own disobedience or ignorance, then stop it immediately! Repent (stop and turn) from ungodly actions / activity.Get your mind off yourself and do something good for someone else. Make a difference in someone’s life.Separate and disassociate yourself with negativity and anything that is unlike God. This includes people that you may need to let go of and get away from. People who are always down in the dumps and never optimistic will drag you down to their level. Make it a priority to read your Bible and inspirational materials.Know beyond a shadow of a doubt that “this too shall pass”. Nothing stays the same, but it will only change for the better if you go through it God’s way! Share your testimony — it will help somebody else.

Source: First Lady Denise