Circumstances in my life lately have been difficult.  I've had a series of trials lately, and they're not over yet. But, really, they are just circumstances.  What is far more interesting than the details of what's going on (which I can't share) is how I'm reacting to them (which I can!).

I was meditating on feeling "crushed" by circumstances.  The Bible speaks of being crushed in several places, so I went looking this morning for Scriptures containing the word "crushed."  I was hoping for help with this feeling of being crushed, and I found some. :-)

Have you ever noticed that when things are crushed, they give off an aroma?  The essence of what a thing smells like is best discerned by crushing it.  Think of crushed coffee beans, or crushed violets, or the aroma of a trash compactor.  Smells are released when things are crushed.

It is a normal part of life to be crushed by life's circumstances, but what I've been thinking about is, "What aroma is emiting from me?"  I have smelled several different ones through the recent set of trials that the Lord is leading us through. 

In our first major trial of this series (and in many before, I am sad to relate) I have been a real stench to my husband, adding to his cares (which are inevitably more crushing than mine, since he bears the responsibility for leadership in difficult days) by complaining and hopeless words, and down-in-the-dumps expressions.  In these cases, I only added to his load.  When God proved Himself faithful, as He always does, I was ashamed and sorry for my stinky self and wished I had done better.

I have learned from experiencing God's certain and saving power that I can choose to be a fragrant aroma, like unto a crushed flower (or coffee bean?), one of hope, strength, and blessing.  I can choose to trust God, to speak words of faith and comfort to my family and friends, and encourage them as we go through the trial.

Life is full of trials.  It's the way we grow.  No matter what trial you're in, consider what aroma the crushing of your spirit is bringing forth, and how that affects your family.  Call upon the One Who was crushed for our iniquities and our transgression and ask Him to make you a pleasing aroma today!

Psalm 34:18-19 (ESV) 
    The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
        and saves the crushed in spirit. 
    Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
        but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

Proverbs 17:22 (ESV) 
    A joyful heart is good medicine,
        but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Isaiah 53:5 (ESV) 
    But he was wounded for our transgressions;
        he was crushed for our iniquities;
    upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
        and with his stripes we are healed.

2 Cor. 4:7-12 (ESV) 
    But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.  We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;  always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.  So death is at work in us, but life in you.

2 Cor. 2:14-16 (ESV) 
    But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.  For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 

Because He was crushed for me, I can ask that He make me a pleasing aroma today to my husband and family: encouraging, strengthening, and blessing them.  Lord, make it so, I pray!  Amen.