Spiritual blessings come wrapped in trials.

A job well done is always worthy of recognition and praise.

In my early career in IT, I always strived to do the best job I could. I’ve won a few awards for projects I’ve worked on. But, I can honestly say that there’s no better reward or blessing than to help someone in need; to help someone as they’re going through their trial or are experiencing hard times.

As I hiked along with my team on this last mission trip, I knew early on that day that this was going to be a hard and difficult hike. The consistent mucks of mud that we walked through were overwhelming at times. I had to constantly remind myself of this: “If God takes you to it, He will take you through it.”

This specific trial I endured was only a fraction of time where God tested my strength and physical endurance.

But, oh, the reward when we reached the small Amazon village of Olivos! The peace I felt, it was almost as if God patted me on the back and said, “Well done.!”

And the faces of the people that were there to greet us as we entered their village was priceless.

The hike, although long and enduring, was blessed by God’s presence and love for the people of Olivos.

Don’t grow weary of trials. Look for the opportunities of blessings to come!

Romans 5:3-4 - “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,”