Trouble!

My favorite commercial is the travelers insurance commercial where the song "Trouble" is sung. It is about a dog that is worried about his bone. He buries it only to watch out the window worried someone saw where he put it. He then takes it to the bank putting it in a safety deposit box only to dream that the bank got robbed. He then takes it back home but what now? I can't help it I laugh every time it comes on. I even rewind it and play it again, poor little doggy! Maybe it is because this is what I spend my time trying to help people overcome, with about as much success as this dog has. We are consumed with what we consume.

Most modern day American Christians want a faith that is never tested, they want to be over comers with nothing to overcome. Yet scripture is clear James 3:1 (NLT)...For when your faith is tested your endurance has a chance to grow. Not if your faith is tested but when it is tested! Test are generally given to find out where one is in his or her development. Does he know what he needs to know to accomplish that that is before him? Does she have what it will take to be successful? Passing the test gives us confidence for the future, even failing the test promotes things worth having in those who are willing to grow. What good you may ask comes from failure, well resilience is created as we decide to do what is necessary; maturity is developed as we realize the sacrifice that is necessary if we are to achieve our dreams; opportunities are pursued as every closed door is an opportunity for a new one to open.

When trouble or trials come we can get bitter or we can get better the choice is up to us. We can decide to do whatever it takes or we can take whatever life sends our way. We can grow up or we can give up. My advice is that we look up to the source of our strength and ask our Savior what He is preparing us for. For as Rick Warren says God never waste a hurt and for that I am grateful.