If All Goes Well, Can We Be Mature?

In the past, I read a fable. Once upon a time, there was a farmer, who hoped that the wheat was never in danger and only enjoyed fair weather. Then his wheat indeed grew up in such an environment. But when the harvest season arrived, there was no grain in the husk of wheat. It turned out that wheat harvest must be based on the baptism of frozen landscape and wind, sun, rain, snow sleet, that is to say, only in harsh environments can the harvest grains be borne.

The growth of wheat makes me think about human growth. In fact, we also need to go through hardships, otherwise, life will be like a flower in a greenhouse, falling at the first blow, unable to adapt to daunting environments and harsh reality. The Bible says, “The prosperity of fools shall destroy them” (Proverbs 1:32). Misfortunes and hardships are essential and valuable for life maturity. What seemed to be bad fortune has often turned out to have welcome effects, making us stronger, better able to deal with things, more mature and resilient. Only troubles and adversities help us grow. If everything goes well, it’s not a good thing.

Hardships are the greatest blessing that God bestows on us Christians. That is because going through hardships is the only way to obtain life. It is said in the Bible, “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried” (Denial 12:10). “My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:2-4). There are many other scriptures about this, and they all tell us that we can only be completed by God through hardships and refinements. For example, in ages and generations past, there were some ancient saints and prophets who were after God’s hearts. None of them were fit for God’s use before they underwent hardships. In the story of Abraham offering up Isaac, when the refinement of facts came up Abraham, he was willing to forsake his only son, whom he loved, in order to satisfy God, and after that God bestowed a blessing upon Abraham so that he would have as many offspring as there are stars in the sky and grains of sand on the beach. There was also Moses. His hot-bloodedness and naturalness were cast off by the refinements in the wilderness for 40 years, making him fit for God’s use and complete the heavy task of leading the Israelites out of Egypt.

The Lord Jesus said, “Whoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34). For thousands of years, believing in God is a rough and tortuous road. We have truly experienced that hardships are the best blessings God grants us. Only by experiencing suffering and refinement can our life disposition be changed, and only then can we be qualified to receive God’s inheritance or blessings.