When I was young, I struggled to form proper sentences. Though I understood spoken word, forming the words myself, came out like alphabet soup. My mom was troubled by this, as she hated to see me struggle. My Dad, however, was calm and reassured her I just needed a little extra time and help to get there. My Dad found a great program, in which I was given extensive speech therapy. It was not until around age 5, that I was able to talk in clear sentences. My speech pathologist was determined to help me have a voice. I also struggled in many subjects, as I learned differently.  I was in classes that had to teach me outside of the box, for that was the way I processed things. I had teachers that found fun and creative ways to teach me, for that’s what I needed to learn. In early grade school, reading was no different of a struggle for me. My grandpa wanted to help and so he bought me Hooked on Phonics. I remember my mom diligently working with me on it in the evenings. I also had family members that found little ways to teach me things. By the time I reached late elementary school I was caught up with my peers and in some subjects, excelling. It was not an easy start for me, and though I had to work hard to learn all of the skills I have since acquired; it was the determined love and care from others that helped me with the skills that I now have. So many people put so much effort into me, believing in the possibility of all that I could accomplish. I know God had His hands in all of it though, right from the very beginning. For some of the things that I struggled with the most then, are where my strengths are the greatest now. Only God can do that. Friend, God does not ever give up on us. He knows of all the possibilities of who we can become. He gifts us all some form of gift to help one another, become the people He created us to be. May we allow God to use us to help people become the best versions of themselves; lifting them up and encouraging them! Friend, if you are the one struggling, please know; God can take your weakness, your struggles, your hardships and turn them into something beautiful. When He does my friend, live your life out for His glory. God made me triumphant through my struggle, not for selfish conceit; but to help others, and most importantly, show just how gracious God is. For we are victorious with God, who gives us strength in our weakness, through His grace and love that abounds.

Erin Fitts-Brower

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

2 Corinthians 2:14 NIV

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV

 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.