More From Natalie Bernard

I was joyfully surprised when I received an email from The Upper Room regarding the meditation that I submitted. The devotional I sent was about the learning and social challenges that I struggle with at various times. I can say without hesitation that having God in my life changed the way I look at these difficulties.

It is important to know that having learning or social challenges doesn’t mean that God cannot use us to accomplish his purpose. No matter the limitations or physical challenges that we may have, God has given us skills, talents, and spiritual gifts to be used by God for the kingdom. The Lord has a purpose for our lives. Jeremiah 29:11 states, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (NIV). No matter who we are or what challenges or difficulties we face, God will use us to accomplish God’s will for God’s glory.

When I asked Jesus to come into my heart as my personal savior, the challenges that I faced drew me closer to God. Whenever certain tasks became difficult or overwhelming, I went to God in prayer and was comforted. God also took the struggle out of what I was doing by letting me know, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13, KJV). And Romans 8:28 says, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (KJV). Whatever the challenge, God worked it out for my good and for God’s glory.

I encourage everyone to spend time with God in prayer and reading the Holy Bible. Doing these two things deepened my relationship with the Lord and helped me to depend on the Holy Spirit for guidance to accomplish God’s purpose when I ran into challenges (see Ps. 32:8).

A few years ago, the Lord inspired me to write articles and meditations. I decided to submit a few of them for publication. I never thought that any of the writings would be published because of my limited writing skills. I write because of my love for the Lord, and I desire to encourage and inspire others. Whenever any of the articles were published, and when the meditation that I submitted was published, I gave God all the glory and the honor because God was the one who gave me the words to write.

Ephesians 2:10 declares, “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (KJV). God created us, and when we invite Jesus into our hearts as our personal savior, we become brand new and start on the road to doing good works and fulfilling God’s will and purpose.

Our challenges do not stop God from using us. We can carry out God’s will with God’s guidance. God loves us and wants to use us to help and encourage one another. When we have faith in God and trust and depend on him, God is the one who will work through us to fulfill God’s purpose no matter what our challenges are. To God be the glory!