Romans 5:3-5

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:  knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
Romans 5:3-5


Too often we get into the pattern of thinking God is cool when our lives are going well, and thinking that he is cruel when they don't.  Truth is, God is *always* cool... we don't always understand why things happen, but that doesn't mean that there isn't a reason.  I know that I need to learn some patience.  When I don't master something easily, I start thinking that I am a moron.  But maybe I am just a kid, who needs to practice a little more.  Maybe we all are.  God has given us incredible gifts... talents, blessings... friends.  And hardships, and challenges.  How else are we going to learn to be more incredible than we already are? :)  I think it is cool that experience comes after patience... when we are patient enough to deal with hardships and challenges long-term, then we get some experience with it... we know how it works.  we know that the darkness goes away eventually, we know that we can survive hard things.  and we learn to have hope in the sunrise... that it will come, again and again and again.  the night never lasts forever.  And hope never makes us ashamed... because it works.  :)  Because hope in God is never false hope, and his love and healing can cure even the most hardened, jaded soul.  Can show us the way home... can help us know who we are... can help us out of anything that we get ourselves into.  So, whatever tribulation you are in the middle of today... remember to look for the sunrise... remember God knows what he is doing, even when we have no idea. :)