The apostle Paul, who had the incredible experience of being caught up into Heaven and seeing things that he couldn’t even describe, said that he was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment him. Three times he asked God to take it away. But here was God’s response: “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” Paul then concluded, “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT). Trials are part of the Christian life. Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NLT). Of course, we all cringe when we come to the mouth of some long valley that seems to loom endlessly before us. Yet it is during hardships that we can experience God’s presence and power in a unique and special way. God will reveal Himself in the valleys, in the difficulties of life. On one occasion when Jesus sent the disciples across the Sea of Galilee, a horrendous storm whipped up. They were afraid the waves would overtake them and drown them. It was so bad that they despaired of life. Then suddenly they saw Jesus walking to them on the water. Commenting on this story, the great Bible teacher G. Campbell Morgan said, “He is coming over the very waves you are most afraid of. The very waves that threaten to buffet and break you to pieces are the pavement for His blessed feet.” Sometimes the very things we fear the most are the tools that God will use in our lives to bring us closer to Him. | 
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