Are You Being Punished Or Prepared?

After our body-weight fitness class this past Wednesday, I was talking to a couple of participants about going through trying moments. One of those participants said something intriguing: "Many people think they are going through moments of perils when they're really going through moments of preparation."
 
What a great point! There is nobody who is without problems. However, you don't have to see your problems as "problems," but as "prep periods." That is, instead of thinking you're being punished for something, start thinking that you're being prepared.
 
Maybe right now you are going through poverty. Money is tight, resources are few, and stress is through the roof. You might be thinking that you're being punished for something. Well, maybe you just might be a millionaire one day. But you're just not ready to receive those millions, because if you get that money now, you'll be irresponsible with it, blow your cash, and become a horrible person. But through your moments of "cash famine," you're learning to be a better person so that when you do receive your millions, you'll know how to handle it.
 
One boy who was about 12-years-old made this one wise observation: through poverty, God is teaching you how to be responsible with money.
 
Of course, lack of money isn't the only problem we have. Maybe you just can't find a job to save your life. Maybe because you're having such a hard time finding a job, you're being taught how to use your talents to start your own business. No more sending out resumes!
 
Maybe you have frequent illnesses. Perhaps you're being pushed to find a natural way to fix yourself so that you could help others.
 
When you go through trials, you're being prepared for something bigger. In a perfect world, we would get everything that we want without any pain. Sorry, it doesn't work that way. Before we get to the mountain peak to see all of God's beautiful creation, we must actually climb the mountain first -- which is the HARD part. But once the hard part is over, we could teach others how to do the same.
 
You're not being punished. You're being prepared for greatness. Don't cry over your woes. Rejoice that something great is about to come. Just endure your dark moments for a little while longer. It'll be all right at the end!

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