Being delivered from my problems isn't always best for me. Truthfully, I'd rather not endure difficult stuff, but I know each trial provides an opportunity for me to trust God and be refined.

Life examples...

When one of our dogs bit our daughter, resulting in a trip to the emergency room and over a dozen stitches. I felt so helpless, wanting to rewind the clock and affect a different outcome.

• I learned I wasn't in control.

The day my husband's international flight arrived — but he didn't. I imagined the worst and worried myself sick. There was a simple explanation. He had to reschedule his flight due to work.

• I learned worrying didn't solve anything.

The 8-week recovery period following a surgery. Not being able to maintain my normal routine was tough.

• I learned to be patient.

The awful sound of metal scraping metal when I backed into our son-in-law's car. It was such an avoidable mistake.

• I learned to humble myself and apologize.

Through each of these situations the Lord allowed, my character was being pruned and shaped. And I was able to see God's hand at work.

A miracle

The children of Israel were no strangers to trials. I can only imagine their shock turned into joy, as the Pharaoh of Egypt let them go after 400+ years of cruel slavery. He begged them to leave when God killed his son and every first born of the Egyptians. But Pharaoh quickly changed his mind. What was he thinking? They had provided years of free labor. What would he do without them? So he assembled his army and went after his former slaves.

Panic must have gripped their hearts. Nothing but water stretched out in front of them. Behind them, the Egyptian army drew closer. They were trapped — with nowhere to go. In their fear, the people blamed Moses for their impossible predicament, saying they would have been better off staying in Egypt as slaves. Moses responded:

...Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Exodus 14:13-14, KJV

The parting of the Red Sea might be a familiar story, but picture what it must have been like for the Israelites. Moses lifted his rod, and the wind began blowing. All night long it continued. The waters parted and a huge pathway was carved in the middle of the sea.

And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

Exodus 14:22, KJV

You may know the rest of the story. The Egyptians tried to follow the Israelites, but soon the dry sea-bed was anything but dry. The wheels of their chariots got stuck in the muck and the walls of water that were held back for God's people, came crashing down on the Egyptians. No one remained.

A purpose

The Lord brought them through their difficulty. This trial tested their faith in Him. What was the result?

And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses.

Exodus 14:31, KJV

A time of worship followed. Moses and the people sang songs of praise to the Lord for delivering them from their enemies.

The hard stuff we go through can have the same outcome. Although you and I probably won't sign up to be tested, the next time we face difficulties, we can choose to trust God.

God is at work —smoothing off our rough edges and making us more like Christ.

And we can praise Him for it.

Your turn

Are you experiencing difficulties? Do you trust God to bring you through them? What step will you take today to lean on Him?