Chip Ingram tells a story about a young woman he once met who had just been through a messy divorce. You see, the husband had left her for another woman. It was not only a sad situation, but a bad one as well, and Chip was not sure if he could offer her much comfort.

As she talked about her future, however, she displayed a sense of calm that caught him by surprise. She had not been a Christian very long, and she did not have a significant amount of Bible knowledge. Her life, in fact, had been marked by repeated experiences of extreme pain and disappointment. But when he asked her about her situation, she answered in an unexpected way. “I know life may be hard,” she said, “but things will be great for my children and for me. I do not understand it all, but I know what God is like. I know He would never do anything to hurt me, and I know He has a great plan for us.”

As you ponder her words, listen to what Chip Ingram said in response – “It wasn’t so much the words she said – although they were profound – but the sense of confidence that flowed with her statement. It was almost as if she had just walked out of an adjoining room where she had enjoyed a personal conversation with God, who had assured her that all was well. She was convinced that her future looked bright even though her present was filled with pain and questions. She knew something more real than her immediate suffering. This young woman’s biblical knowledge may have been limited, but what she knew was pure gold. She understood with all her heart that God is good. She is like a beautiful tree standing in the midst of a harsh, desert landscape. Everything around her looks ruined, yet she thrives. She is so alive that she looks out of place. She is filled with life because her roots tap into an underground river – the goodness of God.”

It has been said that “the sharpness of a sword comes from grinding, and the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from the bitter cold.” You see, only by being tempered often can iron be turned into quality steel. Thus, if we want to experience genuine growth, it is imperative that we understand that our loving Father will sometimes place us on the anvils of life to assure that our faith is fortified and sure.

The writer of Hebrews tells us, *“God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it”* (Hebrews 12:11).

I read a story about a very skilled physician who was about to perform a delicate operation upon the ear of one of his patients. “I may hurt you,” he calmly said, “but I will not injure you.” Oh, if we just understood this, and believed that there is a Great Physician – God – who is faithful even more!

*“Don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t lose heart when He corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those He loves”* (Hebrews 12:5-6).

This is precisely why we can hold to Paul’s words to *“give thanks to God in all circumstances; for this is His will for us in Christ Jesus”* (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

**QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION**

1. Does the story of the young woman, of her resilience in the storm because of her trust in God’s plan for her life, ring true for you?

2. If not, what is preventing you from fully trusting God and His goodness in every circumstance?

3. If her story does resonate with you, who will you inspire and encourage today to trust God in all things and in all situations?

*Almighty God, if storms rise up in my life today, I will praise You in the midst of them. If they rise up in someone else’s life, please help me to point them to You. Amen.*