Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.

–        Helen Keller

Helen had this concept nailed through the school of hard knocks. Keller attended Radcliffe College of Harvard University and became the first deafblind person in the United States to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Does the Bible speak of such a concept? Glad you asked.

James 1:2-4

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 

Give it some consideration.

Gary

I vividly recall tests from kindergarten. Those were not enjoyable and I believed they were designed to torment us. However, since then I’ve taken thousands of tests and firmly believe they will be offered to me until I get home.

James 1:12 

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.

Romans 12:2 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Preparation and perspiration are the best ways to be ready for tests. Give it some thought.

Gary

The hymn writer put it well.

I’m gonna move from this world of fear,
Kinda gettin’ tired of living here
I want to go home where the winds of sorrow never blow.
Far from the shadow of the tomb,

Far from the sadness and the gloom
I wanna go home when death demands my shattered soul.

John 14:2 

In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

Revelation 21:4 

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Sounds good, doesn’t it?  Give it some thought.

Gary

A delusion is a persistent, fixed false belief that is held despite strong evidence to the contrary. Denying God when creation calls out there is a creator falls in that category.  Sadly, too many believe in evolution when it is statistically impossible. Turn to the Word and get understanding.

Romans 1:20 

For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Psalm 33:6 

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host.

We didn’t come from another planet. Give it some examination.

Gary

Don’t babble. Be clear with both man and God.

Matthew 6:7 

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.

2 Timothy 2:16 

But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,

1 Timothy 6:20 

O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,”

Choose your words well. Give it some thought.

Gary

Coincidence is a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection. For instance, people get elected to congress, and in no time, they become multimillionaires. Botox is applied to the lips,  and the lips swell more than twice their size. No, I don’t believe in those coincidences, but this is what I believe.

Ecclesiastes 1:7 

All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again.

Matthew 5:18 

For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Isaiah 40:8 

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God will stand forever.

No coincidence here. Give it some thought.

Gary

Compassion is defined as the feeling that arises when you are confronted with another’s suffering and feel motivated to relieve that suffering. Does the Bible address it? Glad you asked.

Mark 6:34 

When He went ashore, He saw a great crowd, and He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things.

Colossians 3:12-13 

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Galatians 6:2 

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

I‘ve discovered in life that everyone needs a little help. Give it some thought.

Gary