“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.â€�¹

You've no doubt heard about the bricklayer who applied for time off work for the following reason: “When I got to the building, I found that the hurricane had knocked off some bricks around the top so I climbed onto the roof and rigged up a beam with a pulley and hoisted a couple of barrels full of bricks to the top of the building.

“Then I went to the bottom, and holding onto the line, I began releasing it. Unfortunately, the barrel of bricks was much heavier than I was and before I knew what was happening, the barrel started coming down, jerking me up. I decided to hang on since I was too far off the ground by then to jump. About halfway up I met the barrel of bricks coming down fast. I received a hard blow on my shoulder. I then continued to the top, banging my head against the beam and getting my fingers pinched and jammed in the pulley.

“When the barrel hit the ground hard, it burst its bottom allowing the bricks to spill out. I was now heavier than the barrel, so I started down again at high speed. Halfway down I met the barrel coming upâ€"fastâ€"and received severe injuries to my chin. When I hit the ground, I landed on the pile of spilled bricks, getting several painful cuts and bruises.

“At this point I must have lost my presence of mind because I let go of my grip on the line. The barrel came down fast, giving me another blow on my head, putting me in the hospital. I respectfully request sick leave.�

Everybody has times when things go wrong. But when troubles come, it's not so much what happens to us, but how we react to it that counts the most. Troubles destroy some people. Others become stronger. The difference lies in our attitude, being realistic about and accepting what has happened, and what we do about resolving our situation.

To be continued….

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, when things go wrong in my life, please help me to ‘hear’ what You might be saying to me and to see what I need to do in order to turn my situation into a blessing so that I will become more mature and complete. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’s name, amen.�

1. James 1:2-4 (NIV).

<:))))><