Don't quit

Here's something I know:

When you are walking through a trial - don't quit.

Don't get discouraged or frustrated and quit before the test is complete.

Don't bail and don't run away.

God has allowed that trial for a purpose - and that purpose is ultimately to grow closer to Him.

So even though the test is hard, don't lay down your pencil, walk up to the teacher, hand her your paper and leave the room.

Pastor James writes in James 1:4, "Let endurance have its perfect result".

In other words, if you and I don't complete the test (trial) that is before us, we will stunt the growth process God has built into our trial.

I read today of a little boy who saw a cocoon wiggling on the side of a tree.  He knew it was a butterfly struggling to emerge, and that when it came out it would be beautiful.

The boy watched the struggle for a while because he wanted to see the butterfly come out and fly away, but he grew impatient as time passed.

So the little boy decided to help the butterfly, which he figured had to be exhausted by now.  He broke the cocoon open, but the butterfly inside was unable to fly because its wings were not strong enough.

What the boy didn't know was that the battle to shed the cocoon is necessary to develop and strengthen the butterfly's wings.

The butterfly he "helped" was grounded because the boy let it out too soon.

So - have patience!  Don't quit!

You may not like your trial (test), and that is very, very natural.  There is nothing wrong with wrestling with a trial emotionally.  Emotions will come.  We all get discouraged from time to time.

But don't cut the trial short by running away.

Now then, a key point to remember:  God has His hand on both the clock and the thermostat of your trial.  The "how long" and the "how intense" the trial will be.

And....I am grateful for that.

Just a thought for a Thursday.