I saw this on Ellen‘s Facebook page yesterday, and it really resonated with me. It’s been dawning on me lately that, with my own family especially but with others as well (and even for myself), I tend to pray that whatever trial they’re going through will pass quickly and everything will work out for the best as soon as possible. That’s not wrong, I don’t think, but I often forget to pray that they’ll be strengthened in it, grow from it, see God in it, and learn whatever He has for them in allowing it. Sometimes in just wanting out of it we can miss the benefits of it.
A New Year’s Prayer
May God make your year a happy one!
Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain,
But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes;
Not by making your path easy,
But by making you sturdy to travel any path;
Not by taking hardships from you,
But by taking fear from your heart;
Not by granting you unbroken sunshine,
But by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows;
Not by making your life always pleasant,
But by showing you when people and their causes need you most,
and by making you anxious to be there to help.
God’s love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year ahead.
Anonymous
I pray the same for you! May 2014 be a year of growth and blessing and drawing ever nearer to our God.
Stray Thoughts 
Wishing you a year of growth and blessings, too, Barbara! This post resonated. I, too, find myself praying often for healing for others and a return to “good times” even as I often wonder, “Is that God’s will?” I should print out this prayer and keep it in my Bible.
I like this. I try to pray that God’s will be done in whatever the situation. We don’t know what he has in store for us in our trials
Excellent and biblical advice. No one has a path of roses, yet we have all we need in Jesus and all the strength we need in His boundless resources. Thank you for sharing, and may the Lord give you a very happy New Year!!! God bless you, Barbara!
I pray the same for you too, Barbara. You are a blessing and God bless you and your family!