hurt = change

February 26, 2013 by

I am desperately trying to get into shape. I had lost 20 pounds before I got pregnant about this time last year and even though I didn’t weigh what I wanted, I was stronger than I have ever been in my life. Having baby #4 was so exciting and he is the sweetest baby, and now I’m trying to get back in shape. (In 4 pregnancies, I have carried a total of 40 lbs and 8 ounces of babies! Crazy, huh?)

 

see, sweet huh?

I am doing a combination of the elliptical, weight machines, Couch25k, Body Combat, and Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred. Variety, anyone? 🙂

One day as I was doing the 30DS, my husband walked through right as Jillian was spouting off some of her platitudes. She said, “Change begins when it’s hard and it hurts” or something along those lines. My husband said, “now that would be a good sermon!” Well I beat him to it and am doing a blog post. 😉

Now by no means do I get my theology from Jillian. In fact, some days I can just about lose my religion as she yells, “You can DO IT! Five more reps!” No. I. can’t. Jillian.

But anyway, what she said is true in the physical sense, but also in the spiritual sense.
When we go through a hard time, we can choose.
We can choose to grow, or we can choose to get bitter.

I have done both. I assure you, growing is a much better option than bitterness. One major hurt occurred 10 years ago and it took me several, several years to forgive the people involved. But forgiveness brought such freedom. And the changes that occurred from that hurt were beautiful and God-ordained.

Think about stories from Scripture. Think about Mary. Pregnant? As a virgin? She was hurt and confused and scared at first, but she chose to accept what God had brought into her life and the results? She brought the savior of the world into the world. What a phenomenon!

Consider Job. He lost everything. EVERYTHING. His precious children, which by itself could send anyone into a deep depression and bitterness.. Then on top of that, his possessions, his animals, buildings. His wife was saved, but she was not encouraging in any sense of the word.
So what did he do? Did he curse God and die as his wife so lovingly suggested? No, he chose to praise God through the bad as well as the good. And God blessed him. Was his experience still devastatingly hard? Of course. I definitely don’t want to make light of his tragic situation. But Job chose to love God, even when he didn’t understand God.
 

Are you going through hurt right now? I would love to pray for you. You can leave me a comment or if you prefer, e-mail me. 
link love: mercy ink
fancy little things
a royal daughter
 

Filed Under: Uncategorized
About Kelli Hays

Kelli Hays is a wife, mother, writer, and friend. She has been blogging since 2008 and loves sharing inspiration for the everyday woman!

Comments

  1. Julie Marie says
    February 26, 2013 at 5:54 pm

    I love this and I so agree. I choose to grow from these parts of life. in fact I almost want to say the most growing I’ve done was coming out of the worst hurt and depression I ever imagined…

  2. kelli@eatprayreadlove. says
    February 28, 2013 at 4:07 am

    Hi there friend 🙂 I loved reading this post. I’m so glad you shared it too, because I feel like it something we all go through in our walk with Christ. When I started to read I was reminded about all the places in scripture that speak about dying to our flesh..I go back to that every time I face something hard. It reminds me that I’ve gotta just give it to God, and stop trying to do it all on my own. How many times does he have to teach us that? Many in my case 🙂 Prayers for Sarah and her baby girl. Thanks for blessing me today lady. xo

  3. kelli@eatprayreadlove. says
    March 6, 2013 at 6:09 pm

    Agh! You’re so speaking my language right now! The hurt in life recently became so intense that it finally prompted me to seek a true change. For me, my biggest issues are relational, so I’m diving in to learn what drives me, causes me to seek certain people, etc. There are days I just want to give up, but then I have to remember that I can’t keep living the way I have. So, yes, I’m embracing the hurt with great expectations of change. Great post!

  4. kelli@eatprayreadlove. says
    March 6, 2013 at 9:34 pm

    When I started 30DS (which I seemed to have stopped…thanks for the reminder) my husband came in and said of Jillian, “She sure looks happy for someone who is trying to kill you.” I cracked up! It’s so true, isn’t it?

    Great post, my friend. I think it’s so important to realize that we have the power to decide if the hurt will strengthen us or weaken us.

  5. kelli@eatprayreadlove. says
    March 7, 2013 at 12:33 am

    Well said friend! I have learned and grown so much through the hurt in my life … at the time it was bitter, hard, disgusting but now I am so happy that i made it through and about the things that God has accomplished through those times! He can use our muck and make wonderful, beautiful things!

  6. kelli@eatprayreadlove. says
    March 7, 2013 at 1:32 pm

    What a great post! (And I love now that since we have met I can hear your sweet little TX accent in my head when I read it…) Did your husband end up preaching on this, too? Thanks for sharing your heart! (HUGS!)

  7. kelli@eatprayreadlove. says
    March 7, 2013 at 1:46 pm

    I love your heart Kellie! I love that I got to meet you in person, you are an amazing woman!

  8. kelli@eatprayreadlove. says
    March 9, 2013 at 4:27 pm

    Aleks you are too kind. Love ya gal!

  9. kelli@eatprayreadlove. says
    March 9, 2013 at 4:28 pm

    yes I love being able to hear everyone’s voice when I read their posts! He hasn’t preached on it yet but I bet he will! 😉

  10. kelli@eatprayreadlove. says
    March 9, 2013 at 4:28 pm

    yes he does! So thankful for that! I am so glad we’re real life friends now. 🙂

  11. kelli@eatprayreadlove. says
    March 9, 2013 at 4:29 pm

    ha, I’ve stopped my 30DS too! 🙂 And your hubby is right. lol
    Thanks for sharing your hurt with your readers- you are so encouraging to me!

Yum