We are never prepared for our biggest lessons—at least the way we would like to be—simply
because we cannot control outer circumstances. The lessons come when God feels we're ready
for the lesson despite anything that we may feel. We would rather wait for lessons until we feel
stronger, or have more money, or are the right age, or whatever other condition we impose upon
what we have to learn. If everything in our lives were postponed until we felt up to dealing with
it, we would never deal with it at all. Who wants to face pain, risk rejection, encourage criticism?
And yet when we reach the immovable force, and we can't go around it, there is nothing left
except to face our fears and stand up to the battle. The greatest of us stand firm, unflinching in
the face of our foe, with trust in God and the eventual good outcome of the confrontation. If our
faith waivers, if we feel physically or emotionally weak, we may feel we are failing the test. But
God is on our side. He is not against us. He just wants us to be His strong children, His proud
spiritual warriors.