Which will you choose?

It was in church this morning that I found myself singing the words “In the sun or rain, my heart celebrates … that you are good to me.”

 Now if the sun symbolizes good times and the rain denotes tough times, guess which one we’d lobby for.

If given the choice, we’d opt for blue skies and sunshine every time.

But if you had been able to sidestep every trial throughout your life … had evaded every adversity … had never experienced disappointment or lose … never had to wait for anything … if you had enjoyed a ‘Teflon’ smooth journey from the beginning of your life until now …

I probably wouldn’t want you for a friend.

The truth is, we need some bad with the good. Having to wait teaches us patience. Adversity adds strength and determination to our lives. The trials and their ultimate resolution cause faith to grow. Disappointments and loses constantly cause us to prioritize our lives and be thankful for what we do have.

Some of the nicest people I know have lived through some of the worst of circumstances. Some of the sweetest people I know have tasted some of the most sour of life’s experiences. Some of the kindest people I know have been treated poorly by others. Some of the most optimistic people I know have handled more disappointment than should be legal. Some of the most giving people I know actually have less to give than many others.

So while we wouldn’t purposefully choose the rain over the sun, the tough over the easy, the climb over the smooth descent … something is being added to our life that is invaluable. Look at James’s explanation:

“Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.” James 1:2-4 The Living Bible

 This week, don’t celebrate the difficulties but thank the Father who can use those difficulties to make you better. Don’t throw your confidence away but hang on to hope. Don’t impatiently tap your foot and roll your eyes at God as he reshapes you into a better ‘you.’ And don’t quit talking to him and with him in this process.

You’ll be amazed and pleased at what he’s developing in your life!

“Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.”

Romans 12:12 New Living Translation