A hiker crossed paths with a farmer who was hiking up a mountain with an ax in his hand. The hiker asked the farmer why he had the ax, and the farmer answered, “I’m climbing the mountain with an ax to cut up some timber because I’m making a wagon.”
The hiker replied, “But look around you. There are plenty of trees right here. Why are you climbing the mountain to cut wood?”
The farmer explained, “I need the strongest wood I can find. That kind of wood only grows in the mountain where it has withstood the strongest storms.”
God toughens us up through life’s greatest storms. When you are tempted to lament your trauma or abuse, remember that God will bless you, not despite your past, but because of it. Thank him that you are storm-tested.
Recovery Step: The Bible says, “He brings the clouds to water the earth” (Job 37:13). Sometimes, this “watering” takes the form of enormous storms. Are you in a storm right now? As hard as it will be to do, thank God that when the sun comes out, you’ll be better for having passed through the storm.
