Our growth through perseverance should bring a deeper relationship between the Lord and ourselves. In this we find the therapy of thanksgiving and the wisdom of forgiveness. As we come through fiery trials we understand the importance of gratitude and the freedom that comes in releasing other people and other circumstances.
When we find an intimate relation with God we find a place of calm. Waterman, writing about the "renewal factor" in corporations, said, "Most of the renewing companies had a calm at the center. There was a quiet intensity and determination without the helter-skelter behavior, slamming doors, shouting voices, frenetic movement, and general bedlam that poses for productive activity in stagnating companies." This is one of life's principles. Scripture tells us, "In quietness will your strength be." This is possible only if we feel that inner help of the spirit.
Once while talking with a supervisor at Gruen Watch Co. I told him that we had come through some problems in which I suspected that we had some "outside help." He smilingly replied, "No, inside help. For only when the outside comes inside do we get His help." I stood corrected.
J. C. Penney said it well: "and I shall not be judged by the heavenly father according to what I do nor by the material success I achieve. I shall be judged by the honesty of my purpose and by the spirit with which I pursue life's duties. "
The spirit by which we are to pursue means creating a calm center. His help comes in the midst of the storms. It doesn't mean the avoidance of choppy waters, but much more that the eye of the hurricane exists. Jesus was asleep in the boat while the disciples were screaming with fright. In trouble we learn to value the peace and not the hype. In fact, we learn that we don't have to manufacture the peace, nor create a synthetic version for we are told that He gives real peace — a true calm center. "My peace I give unto you." In trouble we learn to accept that His peace is amply provided and not dependent upon our wanting it or even accepting it. We can have the peace and not the panic.
When the winds cease and we take inventory, we find that our relation with God is indeed deepened. Large fish don't grow in the shallow waters, nor do great souls.
As a consequence of our deeper relation with God, it is important for our spiritual health that we encourage other people who are going through the problem the same as we are and not deny that we are into problems. It is like alcoholics find strength in helping others in the same trouble so Christians "when a brother cries, should taste salt."
As our relation deepens we stop fretting, knowing "in this world you will have tribulation," expect troubles, encounter them victoriously. Don't fly away from the storms but fly above the storms. David wanted the wings of a dove so he could fly away. Instead of asking God for wings of a dove for escape, ask him for wings like the eagle which soars above. In trouble we win our wings—not doves' wings, but eagles' wings.
