I came across this yesterday and have been reflecting on what it says and how it can apply to my life.

God never wastes an experience
“In all things God works for the good of those who love him.” Ro 8:28 NIV
No experience is ever wasted if you use it wisely. God can use what you’ve been through to develop you into the person He intended you to be. Moses grew up in a foster home. As the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter he spent forty years learning the language and ways of the Egyptians. What better preparation for understanding your enemy than being raised among them? But Moses needed to learn a few personal lessons too. So God took him into the desert for another forty years to tend sheep. The grandson of Pharaoh became a lowly shepherd. Nothing will humble you like having to take a job for which you’re overqualified, especially when your own failure put you there. But during those years on the poor side of town God taught Moses how to identify with hurting people. Finally, at eighty years old, he was ready to fulfill his calling. God called to him from within the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’” (Ex 3:4 NIV). At this most unlikely place God revealed to Moses his calling as Israel’s deliverer. And even though he was afraid, made excuses, and raised objections, he ended up doing a brilliant job. The point is this: Moses’ eighty years in training weren’t wasted. Forty years in a palace prepared him to deal with Pharaoh, and forty years as a shepherd prepared him to lead God’s people through the wilderness to their destiny. So even though you’d rather be someplace other than where you are right now, remember, God never wastes an experience. Never! He will use it all for your good and His glory.

How has God used your struggles and your pain and your experiences to prepare you for where you are now. Even if right now you are still in the fire He has given you experiences leading to this point that have prepared you to survive where you are right at this moment. Don’t lose faith, don’t lose hope. There is peace at the end of the pain.