The Blessing of Trials

I cannot remember ever reading a more powerful word of encouragement as I did this morning in one of my favorite devotionals of all time, by, Mrs. Charles E. Cowman. Here is a paragraph from today's reading:

Who has not learned that our most sorrowful days are frequently our best? The days when our face is full of smiles and we skip easily through the soft meadow God has adorned with spring flowers, the capacity of our heart is often wasted.

The soul that is always lighthearted and cheerful misses the deepest things of life. Certainly that life has its reward and is fully

satisfied, but the depth of its satisfaction is very shallow. Its heart

is dwarfed, and its nature, which has the potential of experiencing

the highest heights and the deepest depths, remains undeveloped

and the wick of its life burns quickly to the bottom, without ever

knowing the richness of profound joy.

Remember, Jesus said, "Blessed are those who mourn"

Matthew 5:4. Stars shine the brightest during the long dark night

of winter. And the gentian wildflowers display their fairest blooms

among the nearly inaccessible heights of mountain snow and ice.

When told, "It's a gray day", an old Scottish Cobbler once

replied, "Ya, but didn't you see the patch of blue?"

Praise the Lord for loving us enough to bring times of

trial into our lives! During times of hardship, He

is never more near and, His presence in our lives is

unmistakeable! Praise the Lord for His goodness and

mercy! We are forever changed because of a Great God!