"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4)

During the depression a good man lost his job, exhausted his savings, and forfeited his home. His grief was multiplied by the sudden death of his precious wife. The only thing he had left was his faith and it was weakening. One day he was combing the neighborhood looking for work. He stopped to watch some men who were doing some stone work on a church building. One of the men was skillfully chiseling a triangular piece of rock. Not seeing a spot where it would fit, he asked "Where are you going to put that?" The man pointed toward the top of the building and said, "See that little opening up there near the spire? That's where it goes. I'm shaping it down here so it will fit in up there." Tears filled this good man's eyes as he walked away and thought of how the words "Shaping it down here so it will fit in up there" applied to his life and eternity.

The blows of hammer and chisel hurt, but hold on to your faith. Keep praying. Keep believing. The Master has to do some shaping of us down here so we'll fit in up there.