Have you ever thought that your current trials are preparing you for future success? I decided to improve my basketball skills a few summers ago, and my friend Lloyd helped me understand this principle. He had me sprinting up and down the court and shooting until I couldn’t shoot anymore! To make matters worse, he made me shoot free throws after barely surviving the shooting drills. I thought, “How can I shoot free throws when I’m gasping for air and barely able to hold my arms up?” That’s when he gave me a nugget of wisdom: “If you can shoot free throws when you’re tired, then you’ll make them when you’re fresh.” He understood that my current pain would help me in the future.
David helped me understand that even spiritual trials help us perform better in the future. I’m sure he had no idea why God allowed a lion and a bear to attack his sheep. Although the lion and bear probably seemed like bizarre occurrences, they served a vital purpose. They increased David’s faith in God’s conquering power! And his experiences with the lion and bear gave him courage to confront Goliath (see verse cited above), who was at least twice his size! Notice the assertiveness with which David addresses Goliath: “Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head …” (1 Samuel 17:46, New Living Translation).
I know the madness in your life may seem rough, but remember, it’s just practice. And the good thing about practice is that it improves game day performance. David is a witness, so am I, and soon, you will be too! Keep the faith!
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! (2 Corinthians 4:17, New Living Translation)