Trials

As I reflect on what I am grateful for today I cannot help but feel deep gratitude for the trials in my life.  I am not going to lie, I find myself many times dwelling on the negative things of life and tend to look to far ahead.  I find myself worrying about things, that more times that not, never end up happening.   Many times I forget to enjoy the ride of life and the opportunities of growth and refining that trials provide.  

When I look back at my life I know that there was a purpose for each trial.  There must be opposition in all things so that we can grow and become stronger and better recognize the good things of life.

Edmund Burke states it perfectly, "Difficulty is a severe instructor, set over us by one who knows us better than we know ourselves, and he loves us better too... He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves, and sharpens our skill.  Our antagonist is our helper.  This.... conflict with difficulty makes us acquainted with our object, and compels us to consider it in all its relations.  It will not suffer us to be superficial."

Life is but a roller coaster.  It causes many emotions to come out, many that we never knew were possible; fear, excitement, exhilaration, anxiety, breath-taking, heart-wrenching, and joy.  At times all we can do is hold on for dear life and close our eyes.  Me being one that is frightened immensely by roller coasters have found to enjoy the ride most when I have opened my eyes and thrown my arms high into the air and let out a scream or two.  Every time I have stepped off of a roller coaster I have found myself a little braver to step onto the next.

Trials and life go hand in hand.  As long as I am keeping an eternal perspective I know the ride will go much smoother.