[:en]TRIAL BY FIRE
Here are some remarkable facts about an aspen tree. An entire grove of slender, white-trunked aspens can grow from a single seed and share the same root system. These root systems can exist for thousands of years whether or not they produce trees. They sleep underground, waiting for fire, flood or avalanche to clear a space for them in shady forest. After a natural disaster has cleared the land, aspen roots can sense the sun at last. The roorts send up saplings, which becomes trees.
For aspens, new growth is made possible by the devastation of a natural disaster. For us, we grow in faith from difficult circumstances. James wrote: “Consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testings of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4)
Trials are never joyful. But God will use difficult circumstances to help us reach maturity. Faith can grow during times of trial. It clears space in our hearts for the light of God to touch us. – (Amy Peterson)
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