God Gives Real Tests

God is always testing us, and his testing does not come when we are warned and ready. Anyone can pass a test then. ...

God's tests catch us unprepared, ...

Burned or Purified?

Warren Wiersbe says that realism is idealism that has been through the fire and got purified; cynicism is idealism that has been through the fire and ...

Overcoming Discouragement

Everywhere the perpetual endeavour of the enemy of souls is discouragement. If he can get the soul "under the weather," he wins. It is not really ...

When God Is More Real

God loves us in good times and bad. But he is even more real in our lives when we are having tough times.

The Advantages of Adversity

We grow and mature spiritually through adversity--not when everything is going smoothly. ... [I]n a time of adversity or trouble, the Christian has the ...

Seldom Heard Truth

That hardship can actually be a blessing--or "a severe mercy," to recall Sheldon Vanauken's book of that title--is a profoundly Christian ...

When God Seems Distant

As the farthest reach of our love for each other is loving our enemies, as the farthest reach of God's love for us is loving us at our most unlovable ...

The Democracy of Suffering

The kingdom of suffering is a democracy, and we all stand in it or alongside it with nothing but our naked humanity.

Taking Advantage of the Floor

When life knocks you to your knees--well, that's the best position in which to pray, isn't it?

The Ultimate Measure of a Man

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.