| James 1:2 – “…count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” |
Discouragement comes easy to life. We find our mistakes stalking us and problems important and trivial knock on daily life without interruption.
It’s easy to get discouraged, especially in times of difficulty.
I am sure Helen wondered why her life was as it was.
She was just 19 months old an unknown illness stole her future. The disease left her blind and unable to speak.
Her parents tried many avenues to help her, including turning to a teacher for the deaf named Alexander Graham Bell. Nothing helped.
Then, a teacher came into her life and Anne Sullivan opened the world for Helen Keller.
It took years for her to understand the why of her plight. Yet, maturity gave her the voice for understanding.
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.
God allows many problems in our lives, not to punish but to polish. James calls this the “testing of your faith.” (James 1:2-5) It is the spiritual tempering that makes us strong.
So, if you start to feel overwhelmed, remember, God plunges us into the furnace to grow us, not crush us.
-Robert G. Taylor
robertgtaylor.com
