Tried With Fire

"And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?" —Mark 4:37-40. Many of God's children get on very well so long as they have no trials. They follow Christ very tolerably in the time of fair weather. They fancy they are trusting him entirely. They flatter themselves they have cast every care on him. They obtain the reputation of being very good Christians. But suddenly some unlooked for trial assails them. Their property makes itself wings, and flies away. Their own health fails. Death comes up into their house. Tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word. And where now is ...

This is one of my favorite Calvin and Hobbes comics.  I never thought my mom or dad (my dad did most of the cooking) would feed me paint or weed killer, but I did turn up my nose at some of the things on the dinner table including squid. Too chewy, like fishy rubber bands. But even though I never suspected my parents, how often have I  treated God like Calvin treated his mother, doubting His character and goodness? I'd rather not give an answer because I'd be ashamed of the number. All the more reason to side with the Word over feelings, circumstances, and whatever would tell me otherwise even if it's myself. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! Matt 7:9-11