October 4th
The Grain of Your Character
All the "bad" things that happen to us are not for ought!! That includes all the little failures, the big disappointments and the adversities that come our way.
I say they are not for ought because I have learned that in the COURSE OF TIME one will see the beauty of the past events. We are comforted in a certain area, so we can comfort another. It sorta sounds strange, but, take for example the lost of a loved one. Those ensuing days are filled with grief and heartache...yet as a Christian...they are seasoned with a love and understanding. Then in the future a friend looses a loved one and we are able to comfort because we have been made strong through our own experience. Hence, we can be of BETTER help than one who has not lost a loved one. I suppose the bottom line is that adversities - in any area - really can toughen an individual. Paul puts it this way in 2 Cor. 4:17,
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."Take the visitor who was watching a lumberjack occasionally jabbing with his sharp hook into a log to separate it from another log floating down the stream. When asked why he did it the reply was, "These may all look a like to you, but I can recognize that a few of them are quite different. The ones I let pass through grew in a valley where they were always protected from the storm. Their grain is rather coarse."
The lumberjack continued, "The ones I have hooked and kept apart came from high on the mountain. From the time they were small they were beaten by strong winds. This toughens the trees and gives them a FINE GRAIN. We save them for the choice work. The others are used just for ordinary lumber."
So, as I began, I repeat...the grain of your character is defined by the toughening result of life's trials and adversities.
Now, that may not help you right now in a particular situation, but I trust it will release your faith to BELIEVE its truth. As David said, "Remember the word to your servant, upon which you have caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has given me life."
Let's pray!
Lord, I ask, in the name of Jesus, that this special person believe your word regarding an uncomfortable experience that is theirs at this time.
Amen