A new perspective.
Trials. Tests. Storms of life....Pasts. We see them as horrible. We don't see them the way God does: temporary, a growing process.
So, let's try this instead. I'm sure you've heard that God is the potter and we are the clay. Well, I've worked with clay before. In order to get it to be pliable, to be good to even think about shaping it into anything, you have to pound it. Throw some water on it. Beat it, punch it, tear it apart, pull chunks out of it. Not pleasant.
Well, that's what our trials are. God making us ready-pliable-to use. To shape us into something beautiful. A vessel He can use. And I like to imagine Him sitting there doing that, and then putting us on the potter's wheel. With a little smile on His face, when He's imagining the beautiful thing we will become. A beautiful vessel that He can use. Shaping us and working us with gentle, patient, loving hands. And when we collapse, when the sides cave in on the clay, He just picks us back up and reworks us. And gets right back to work.
Doesn't seem so bad then. :)
