In life, we may encounter various experiences which at first appear to be disagreeable...
We see them as inconvenient, unwanted, and just plain bad. But I have learned that God can and will oftentimes use these experiences as teaching tools.
Depending on how we accept this, such seemingly negative things can do more to help us grow and mature, than those we think of as good and positive. This has been the case with me. What I at first thought to be bad, ended up working out for my benefit.
This, I believe, is because God knows how weak our flesh really is, even if we initially protest the thought. We want things to go smoothly, and who wouldn't? Yet when something comes easy, we might take it for granted by thinking it will always be this way.
But if you have lived on this earth for a while, you will eventually learn, if you're open to it, that difficult experiences can build character from within. The Scriptures declare that hardship and "tribulation" can work to produce patience in us. Frankly, we might all agree that we live in an impatient world where patience seems to be in short supply.
While the Bible goes on to say that patience will grow into the knowledge of experience, and from here, into hope. "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment." Romans 5:3-6 (the New Living Translation Bible).
D.B.
Depending on how we accept this, such seemingly negative things can do more to help us grow and mature, than those we think of as good and positive. This has been the case with me. What I at first thought to be bad, ended up working out for my benefit.
This, I believe, is because God knows how weak our flesh really is, even if we initially protest the thought. We want things to go smoothly, and who wouldn't? Yet when something comes easy, we might take it for granted by thinking it will always be this way.
But if you have lived on this earth for a while, you will eventually learn, if you're open to it, that difficult experiences can build character from within. The Scriptures declare that hardship and "tribulation" can work to produce patience in us. Frankly, we might all agree that we live in an impatient world where patience seems to be in short supply.
While the Bible goes on to say that patience will grow into the knowledge of experience, and from here, into hope. "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment." Romans 5:3-6 (the New Living Translation Bible).
D.B.
