Trials can be painful. They can bother our souls so much that we actually feel pain in our hearts. Yet, we are told that we should "consider it pure joy" when we go through hard times, that we are to happily submit to what God is doing in our hearts. That is a difficult thing, indeed.

But what it makes me think of is this:

God is the Master Gardener. When trials come, that is God working in my heart. He takes His spade and His hoe and He goes to work on the rocky soil in my heart.

Maybe there are a patch of sunflowers blooming beautifully on the "giving" side of my heart or a group of red roses thriving on the "serving" side of my heart but over on the "trusting" side, there�s a lot of weeds and rocks.

So, God comes in to do some gardening. He works over the soil and prepares it for His seeds. The trial comes and the trial goes and I don�t really notice. He waters my life with more tender care through hard lessons and difficult circumstances. Suddenly, I can see a little shoot coming out of the ground. I feel God�s work taking effect in my heart. A new trial comes and I can face it with optimism and joy. God has lovingly nurtured my soul.

Hopefully, just knowing this will encourage me in trying times. God is at work!

:md

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