Do you pick and choose which verses of the Bible pertain to you? I remember a young man telling me, “I know the Bible says to honor your father and mother but I have to believe that God makes an exception in my case.” We can justify anything in our minds but that doesn’t make it true. Did this young man think that because his parents had issues they didn’t deserve any respect from him–he should be released from the fifth commandment? 

If this young man were wise, instead of whining about how unfair his life was he would have learned to be thankful for his experience. “Let us boast in our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance produces character and character produces hope; and this hope does not let us down.” (Romans 5:3-5) Without trials, we have nothing to exercise our faith muscles on.

Life isn’t meant to be an easy joy ride. It takes hard lessons to get through thick-necked humans but the powerful stories of God’s saving redemption are lifelines to the person struggling behind you. And, if you pause at a mirror for a good look inside, you may find yourself no better than the people you are angry with. Learn to forgive those who wrong you and ask forgiveness when you wrong others. 

Father doesn’t promise a fair life. We should be thankful for that. A fair life for us would never lead to life with God. Thank you, Jesus, for not telling Father that we didn’t deserve it! Character produces hope that does not let us down. Are you hanging onto hurts that are meant to build your character?