In Romans 5:3-4, we read: "We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
“I don’t understand, Grandfather. Why do we have to have troubles?”
“There was once an old violin maker. His violins had the sweetest music you ever heard.”
“Did he have a special type of wood?” Grandfather nodded.
“In a way you could say that. His fellow violin makers envied him and begged to know why his violins differed from theirs. He finally shared his secret."When selecting wood for his violins, he didn’t go into the protected valleys but combed the rugged mountain to get trees anchored securely due to the fierce storms. The weather-beaten ones held a quality of beauty and tone.”
“And that makes a difference?”
“It does. Take me for example. I don’t learn when the days are filled with sunshine. It’s during the storms that I need hope.
"Like the old violin maker, our Heavenly Father knows the storms of life which He allows, will cause my roots to go deep in Him. When I'm hurting, I turn to Him--like a child who's happy when all is well. But if he falls and cries, his mother lifts him and whispers words of love and comfort.”
“I never thought of it that way.”
“Remember the Lord Jesus is in the process of building our character and hope. Don’t forget. He’s promises to love us and never leave us, no matter how difficult the storm."
“But that’s when I don’t feel He’s there.”
Kingdom Thinking. Knowing our Lord Jesus is there during the tribulations (storms), allowing me to learn perseverance which produces character which produces Hope. Do you have hope?