Curious Christian

I was reading the Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis last Sunday and was struck by this passage which speaks into my personal situation at the moment:

It is good for us to have troubles at times, for they often remind us that we are on probation and ought not to hope in any worldly thing. It is good for us sometimes to suffer contradiction, to be misjudged by men, even though we do well and mean well. These things help us to be humble and shield us from vainglory. When to all outward appearances men give us no credit, when they do not think well of us, then we are more inclined to seek God. Who sees our hearts. Therefore a man ought to root himself so firmly in God that he will not need the consolations of men.

As you might gather from that, I am going through a rough patch. But I am finding it important to recognise that trials are an essential aspect of transformation. In standing firm in our struggles, our faith, hope and love are refined. Whilst I pray my present troubles will be resolved sooner rather than later it is nevertheless instructive to see how God can use trials to transform my practice.