JAMES 1:2–4
Aman at my church told me that he thanked God for bruises and bumps. I thought that was an odd thing to thank God for, but then he explained how the hard things in life are often the things that build our character. Sure, that makes sense … I believe that. But I still didn’t get why I should thank God for them. I sure don’t feel like thanking anyone when things are difficult. But then I thought about running cross-country. In athletics we are thankful for difficulty because it makes us better. We push our bodies through pain so that we can improve. Maybe, just maybe, this concept could apply in my personal life. At first I didn’t like the idea, because no one want to experience pain, and we always think God is supposed to protect us from stuff like that. So could experiencing pain really make me a better Christian?
Carmen Dockweiler, 18, Nebraska Christian High School, Central City, NE
God, there is a lot of pain in my life
that I just don’t understand. Please give me the
wisdom to see how hurting can actually help me.