Some flowers, such as the rose, must be crushed if their full fragrance is to be released.
Some fruits, such as the sycamore, must be bruised if they are to attain ripeness and sweetness.
Some metals, such as gold, must be heated in the furnace if they are to become pure.
The attaining of godliness — the process of becoming a mature Christian — requires similar special handling.
It is often through pain, suffering, trouble, adversity, trials, and even temptation that we develop spiritual discipline and become refined and enriched.
God whispers to us in our pleasures,
God speaks to us in our conscience,
But God shouts to us in our pains.
It is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world.
C.S. Lewis
