"Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor. 12:9-10)

Jeris E. Bragan wrote about an old violin-maker who chose the wood for his instruments from the north side of the trees because this was the side that faced the fiercest windstorms. When the storms raged, the trees groaned under the lashings but this is what gave them their strength. As the violin-maker said, "They are simply learning to be violins."

Let us take pleasure in difficulties and hardships because by them we are made strong.