Rude Interruptions

The other night I was awakened by searing pain in my hip… again. Having already awakened Ken three times, and not wanting to disturb him again, I lay in bed, frustrated and on the verge of discouragement. I desperately needed sleep – there was so much on my ‘to do’ list for the next day. I kept thinking, if only this pain would subside, then everything would be fine. I could get on with life. But in the dark, the Holy Spirit brought to mind 1 Peter 1:6-7, “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.”

That scripture held a lesson for me: if I view my hardship only as a rude interruption, I leave God totally out of the picture. Then the pain gets all the attention, not the Lord. God thinks that the strengthening of my faith is more important than my comfort – and a stronger faith will result if I’d simply agree with Him! Friend, since we are “destined for trials,” then join me in not wasting our pain, but responding with trust and confidence in our God. Because faith that’s refined is worth it!