From Our Children’s Minister, Meschel Hara:

First Baptist Church of Texas City


Suffering Strong
This life we live on Earth can be full of heartache and at times can seem so unbearable. Jesus warns us in John 16:33 that we will have trouble in this world. He doesn’t promise us a life full of roses without struggles. But He does promise us a life full of joy, hope and peace when we put our faith and trust in Him.
I too am familiar with heartache and struggle. I faced the hardest years of my life so far in 2015 – 2017. In 2015, my dad had a massive stroke. He was no longer mobile and had a very difficult time communicating. And then in 2017, we lost my dad as well as my sister-in-law. It was a rough couple of years. But I know that I am stronger in my faith because of each struggle I have endured.
This past week I had the privilege of attending the Children’s Pastor Conference in Orlando. One of the speakers that spoke was Katherine Wolf. She suffered a massive stroke at the age of 26; and at that time, she had a 6-month-old son. Her life since then has been full of struggle after struggle. But she has overcome a lot as well. She was even able to have another child and now encourages others through their struggles and speaks against the myth that we can only have joy in a pain-free life. One thing she said that I loved was “Your life doesn’t have to fall apart because it falls apart.” What a profound statement?! It is a choice!
Katherine rewrote the words of Habakkuk 3:17-18 to apply to her life to declare that her deficiencies would not keep her from worshipping her Savior. “Though I cannot walk, and I am confined to a wheelchair, though half my face is paralyzed, and I cannot even smile, though I am extremely impaired and cannot take care of my own baby boy, yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
May Katherine’s story inspire you to find the joy of your Savior through your struggle.