Back To Home Page To Archives - Spring of Life - H. Roger Bothwell The Purpose of Hard Times I sat this evening at a traffic signal looking into a Laundromat. Before my eyes were over twenty big round windows with clothes all tumbling the same direction. It was almost mesmerizing. It had a similar effect you get when you walk into a store that has a few dozen television sets all broadcasting the same program. As I watched those clothes tumbling I was so glad we don’t have to be tossed and turned to be cleansed. Jesus does it upon request. “If we confess He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” I John 1:9. However there is more to the Christian walk than just being forgiven. There is also the need for character growth and development. And unlike the cleansing, character development does not come instantly. It comes by a process that sometimes does require tossing and tumbling. James 1:2 – 4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” There it is. God’s Word reminding us of the purpose of hard times. Jesus never promises to take them away. But He does promise us strength to successfully endure. I'm Roger Bothwell and my address is hrb1@tiac.net or 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453. Thank you for your support of our faith ministry. Past devotionals can be accessed at Archives