Thought of the Day: "Over the slow fires of misery that he learned to keep banked and the heavy pressure deep within him, his innate qualities of patience, tolerance, forbearance, and forgiveness were tempered and refined."
Abraham Lincoln had a mess of a marriage. Who knew? I sure didn't. From the way that he has been portrayed in history as a strong, capable, and respectable man, I had no idea he struggled so much in his home life. I'm not married just yet, so today's devotional reading spoke more to me about just the people that God has placed in my life. What I've gained from it is that a pain-free relationship is basically no relationship at all. Sometimes God puts people in our lives, or us in theirs, to adjust us and equip us. He puts us with people who bring out the worst in us, so that He can bring out the best in us. Isn't God so perfect in bringing us through these trials so that we can endure them and be refined? The fires of misery of some relationships will only serve to strengthen the characteristics that God wants to bring out in us. "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." - James 1:12 Praise the Lord! =) Labels: A Godward Life 1:05 AM | |