...is what a wise friend said after I'd come through a hard time. "You're better off for having passed through the fire." (You could have fooled me!) This thought of expecting to be blessed by tribulation was something new. But I've seen since that what Romans 8:28 says is true, that it does cover me and you. As Paul put it confidently: "...all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
So many of us haven't had good handed to us on a silver platter, but when we choose that thing that matters most -- loving and trusting our heavenly Father more, we do emerge from trials with a lasting gain. To me, it's worth more than gold itself to feel God's presence more, to be turning to Him first when hard-pressed by this or that. The spiritual (and human) blessings not evident at the time usually, but in retrospect crystal clear.
Mary Baker Eddy (who knew what she was talking about) wrote in her book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, page 4l0: "Every trial of our faith in God makes us stronger. The more difficult seems the material condition to be overcome by Spirit, the stronger should be our faith and the purer our love."
A high goal this, but one that can steadily be attained.
