It is in the strain. Little growth happens any other way, for I do not bring ease to those who follow. Adversity in My measure brings strength; without such there can be no growth. Even he on level ground will slow, and he who does not strive, rolls backward to death. The Father calls each upward. In each path there is obstacle – detriment, but there is no danger for he who follows where I lead. Appearance is not as it may seem. Man measures the obstacle; I measure the growth. Ease and pleasure are of the world. He who gains much in these, gains little in eternity. True faith allows obstacles to be little, for the eyes of the Father see not the strain, for in the strain there is adequate support, but in the upward call, strength is gained by resistance. A child without, perishes for weakness. You are called to strength, therefore, to the obstacle – but not alone.
James 1:4 (NIV) – And let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Bottom Line: Often as Christians we feel our path should be made easy by our Lord, and we thank Him often when it is so. What we fail to see is that struggle is often the bigger blessing. If you’ve been a Christian for very long, you’ll see that the times you’ve grown in your faith were in times of hardship. At first blush, problems seem like . . . problems, but when looking at them with eternal eyes, we see them as stepping stones of our spiritual growth.
