Mom Heart Moments #78

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.

IN LUCY MAUD MONTGOMERY’S BOOK Rilla of Ingleside, the heroine, who has spent two years of her young life living through the hardships of war, is asked whether she’d like to change those difficult years.

“No,” said Rilla slowly, “I wouldn’t. It’s strange —isn’t it? —They have been two terrible years —and yet I have a queer feeling of thankfulness for them —as if they had brought me something very precious, with all their pain. . . . I suppose I had a soul then, Miss Oliver —but I didn’t know it. I know it now —and that is worth a great deal —worth all the suffering of the past two years. . . .”

“We never do [want suffering],” said Miss Oliver. “That is why we are not left to choose our own means and measure of development, I suppose. No matter how much we value what our lessons have brought us we don’t want to go on with the bitter schooling.”^a

Though we sometimes find a feeling of dread at having to face difficulties, we can still choose to be spiritual and godly! We were made for rejoicing and happiness. If we rightly understand that trials cause us to suffer and we find that we don’t want to suffer, we are only feeling what Jesus felt when he went to the cross. Hebrews 12:2 tells us, “For the joy set before Him [Jesus] endured the cross, despising the shame.”

It helped me so much to realize that Jesus despised the shame of the cross, just as I despise difficult times in my own life! But because He knew He would redeem mankind and be seated with the Father, He went to the cross despite those feelings.

Looking back, can you see times of trial that led to growth in your life? How might you thank God for those difficult times?