Trials
“Storms make oaks take deeper roots,” my mother reminded me. She always told me that trials made us better people. They help us mature and grow. If a tree never had to fight for sun and water, but had everything given to it, it would become a scrubby little thing. In other words, the stronger the wind, the stronger the tree. My mother insinuated that I was growing from these trials. She would tell me that God must really love me to give me so many trials. I remember telling her, “Mom, I wish that He didn’t love me so much.” Thomas Edison was 67 years old when he had one of the greatest trials of his life, but he didn’t let it get him down. He was a very optimistic man. One evening his film plant caught fire. Spontaneous combustion had ignited some of the chemicals and exploded. Within seconds, all of the celluloid for records, film, packing compounds, and anything flammable went up in flames. Fire trucks from eight towns arrived as fast as they could, but the intense heat was so powerful that the water from the fire hose had no effect whatsoever. When Edison’s daughter arrived, she was distraught and didn’t know where her father was. She was frantic with worry until she saw him running toward her. Before she could say a word, he called out to her, “Where’s your mother?” Her eyes widened at such a question as he added, “Go get her and tell her to bring her friends. They’ll never see another fire like this as long as they live.” The following morning, when the building was only rubble and ashes, he called his employees together and announced with confidence, “We’re building again. Oh, and by the way, does anybody know where we can get some money?” Practically everything we recognize as an Edison contribution came after that devastating disaster. Many times difficulties make us stronger people and we end up successful. When a blacksmith takes a piece of raw iron ore and plunges it into hot coals, he burns off impurities and introduces carbon into the metal. He then hammers it on an anvil to forge and shape and strengthen it. This process is repeated over and over again. This can be compared to the trials we go through. We’re like this piece of ore. We’re gradually being strengthened and will eventually end up victorious. Remember how hard the patriots fought for our freedom in 1776? They were farmers and merchants, and not learned in the way of combat. The crossing of the Delaware in a blizzard and all their struggles will never be forgotten. Many were sick and poorly clothed, and their feet were wrapped with cloth to protect them from freezing weather. They lacked enough food for everyone and many times went hungry until a farmer donated some beef. Who would ever think that these men could fight a battle against the fearsome Hessians? They were German mercenaries, skilled fighters paid by the British to cut down the patriots. The Continental Army was outnumbered, but George Washington had faith in his men and knelt in humble prayer, pleading with God, before crossing the Delaware. The tattered Continental Army struck the town of Trenton the morning of December 26th, 1776, and it was a never-forgotten battle of victory that stunned the British. It was a surprise attack, and not one patriot was killed in that battle. Harry Ward Beecher said, “Difficulties are God’s errands and when we are sent upon them, we should esteem it as proof of God’s confidence…as a compliment from Him.” George MacDonald said, “How often we look upon God as our last and feeblest resource! We go to Him because we have nowhere else to go. And then we learn that the storms of life have driven us, not upon the rocks but into the desired haven.” Helen Steiner Rice wrote, “Before you can dry another’s tears, you too must weep.” Many times our sorrows and problems help us to understand another person’s sorrow. When we go through similar trials, then we are more sympathetic toward others. Hugh B. Brown wrote: “We ask for strength and God gives us difficulties, which makes us strong. We pray for wisdom and God sends us problems, the solution of which develops wisdom. We plead for prosperity and God gives us brain and brawn to work. We plead for courage and God gives us dangers to overcome. We ask for favors and God gives us opportunities. This is the answer.” Written by Linda Weaver Clarke
Copyright 2006
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