On the old “Happy Days” television show, Richie Cunningham was “grounded for life” by his Father, Howard, for some foolish and costly misbehavior.  As they talked about it, Howard asked his son, “Ritchie, did you know that there is a lesson in all this for you?”  Richie’s response was priceless:  “I figured anything with this much pain had to have a lesson in it somewhere!”    It’s kinda like my Mom’s philosophy on medicine.  I don’t know how many times I was told as a child, “unless it tastes bad it’s not doing you any good.”  That thought was so ingrained in my thinking, I’m actually suspicious of medicine even today that actually tastes good.  Or were you ever told when they put the mercurochrome on a cut: “This is going to sting a little, but that’s how you know it’s working.”  Pain seems to be a very effective teacher.  Perhaps you’ve heard the little poem by Robert Browning Hamilton:

I walked a mile with Pleasure;

She chatted all the way;

But left me none the wiser

For all she had to say.

I walked a mile with Sorrow,

And ne’er a word said she;

But, oh! The things I learned from her,

When sorrow walked with me.

   In one of the most practical books of the Bible, the Apostle James writes these words from (James 1: 2-4) 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.   The point is simple, God allows trials for a reason.  We shouldn’t waste them.  God can use our pain, our sorrow to make us stronger and more like Him.  It may not be fun, but it is essential for the development of our character and fruits of the Spirit like patience, gentleness and self-control.

   I don’t know what kind of trials you’re going through this morning, but I do know this:  God is in control.  And as Richie Cunningham says, “there’s got to be a lesson in this somewhere.”  In the meantime, rest assured that you’re not suffering alone.  God has promised, “Never will I leave you: never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) whatever the test you’re going through, God wants you to pass.  He’s given you the resources and the strength to keep going.  You may not be able to see it now, but God has your best interests at heart.  Just keep trusting!

Have a great week.

Pastor Barry