God can turn hardship to blessing

Romans 5:2-5 "... we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (NIV)

A rich family ordered a wedding cake that cost $16,000. It was personally delivered in a private jet by the owner of the business, who was also the baker of the cake. But the story here is not the rich family or the cake. The story here is the woman who built the successful, high-end baking business.

When she was asked how she got started making such huge cakes and delivering them all over the country, she related the story of her husband's untimely death. The tragedy left her broke and at home with three little girls. She had no real education or training, but she had faith. As she prayed about her situation, she began to think about what she could do. She knew that she could bake cakes much better than others. And, so, she began first to bake birthday cakes to sell, then wedding cakes, then catering the whole wedding. Over time, her cakes became legendary and people began to ask for them to be shipped to their weddings.

"And the rest is history," she said. "It was the sorrow and hard times that triggered the success I now have," she concluded.

Whatever you're going through today, God is able to turn it around, if you just let Him. God bless you and have a great day.

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Jonathan Watson is pastor of the Bella Vista Assembly of God. The opinions expressed are those of the author.

Religion on 04/20/2016