When I became a first time mom our lives got turned upside down. Our first baby had colic and refused to sleep for more than 30 minutes at a stretch. The first year of his life was such an exhausting time for us that the thought of having another baby in the future paralyzed us. We eventually overcame this paralysis as we have four children now. During that most difficult period I often wondered why I was given such a difficult baby. Seemed like most of my friends had easy babies and some just didn’t understand why we were roughing it.

I now see why I was given a difficult child. The most important reason was for my sanctification. God saw fit to use my baby to mold and shape me. This baby is now five years old and God is still using him to sanctify me. In the recent years I have discovered another reason why I was given a difficult baby. It seemed my trials enabled me to understand and better help others who are struggling with being a first-time mom. I have received emails and phone calls from those who are struggling.

It is not the most comforting thing to know that one of the purposes behind my difficult trials is to benefit others, especially when I’m in the midst of it. As we trudge through our trials, we may feel that we can hardly breathe or rest or even know how to muddle through it all, and the last thing we want to think about is how we may help others in light of our own experience. Having gone through various circumstances with our children, I can say that the trials were very sanctifying and that I am encouraged to know that they were beneficial to some people. I believe that we can better handle our trials knowing that there are meaningful purposes behind them.

I am reminded of William Cowper’s hymn “God Moves In A Mysterious Way” and how God is behind all our trials, even when we don’t think He is. I love the very last line where Cowper noted that “God is His own interpreter, And He will make it plain.” How comforting it is to know that our life trials are not meaningless nor purposeless. God is behind them all.

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.