GOD’S PROCESS
Romans
5:3-4
Not only that, but we rejoice in our
sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces
character, and character produces hope.
One day my youngest daughter found a caterpillar’s cocoon
nestled in the branches of one of our azaleas near the bedroom window. We put
the thumb-sized shell and the small branch in a jar, sprinkled some grass
clippings in the bottom and waited for it to hatch. Days later as I mowed the
back yard, we saw signs of new life emerging.
Only one word adequately depicted the process – struggle.
It appeared that this creature was doing everything possible to get through
that tiny hole in the shell. A close look at its face gave me the impression
that it was in complete agony and pain. What once was a haven of protection was
now a prison to escape.
At times a streak of sympathy entered our minds. After all, who wants to watch anything suffer? Although we were tempted on more than
one occasion to get a razor-blade to release it from its agony, no one went to get
it. So the creature anguished before a public audience. However to our wonder,
a beautiful butterfly emerged and flew away to freedom. And struggle was the
process that liberated the creature to new heights.
Paul reminded the Roman believers who were undergoing
sever trials in their day to remember the process God uses to build faith and
hope into their character. Suffering humbles us and makes us look to God for
help and endurance during the trial. So when struggle strikes deep within us, see
how God uses it to build his values in our lives. It’s part of his plan to
supply grace to help us in our time of need (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). Like Daniel
and his friends in the furnace (Daniel 3:22-29), remember God’s process. If you
can’t take the heat, stay in the kitchen anyway. It’s for our good.
