Trials come into the life of every woman, child, or man;

helping to transform us that is God's mighty plan.

God can do anything even stop any trial,

but that people are growing through them brooks no denial. 

Since the beginning way back when the world began,

God has used perseverance to transform man.

Look in the Bible read about the Heroes of old,

 read of their predicaments read what's been told. 

Read of Jeremiah and Ebed a Chushite,

of how Jeremiah was treated and how Ebed made it right.

Read about Daniel and the lion's den into which he went,

how God protected Daniel that was no accident.

Read about Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego,

of the fiery furnace and of God whom they trusted so.

Read about Joseph and his being sold as a slave,

of how God influenced his life and how he behaved.

God could have intervened making each of these trials disappear,

but instead He watched as each persevered.

God never left them He used each trial to bring about good;

this was possible because each acted as they should. 

Troubles come to prove that our faith is pure,

that we have a loving Father by whom we are never ignored.

Under pressure our faith is forced into the light,

and God is very pleased when our response is right.

Every trial is a character building opportunity,

where God transforms us into what we're supposed to be.

(c)March 17, 2008 Barbara Philbrook