Puddles Can Be Good

We do not willingly take the difficult side of a trail. But developing muscle strength and nimbleness of feet requires some effort. Working against some resistance is how we become strong. Just as life does have some troubling spots, so too each path has some puddles or more difficult parts. As our ability to navigate grows, challenges that may have seemed great become smaller. Hiking a narrow and more difficult path can be joyful and good for our health.

Jesus told us the path to life will have challenges. It may be narrow and difficult in places (Matthew 7:13-14). Rather than seek to punish people and make life difficult for them, Jesus wanted to strengthen them and make life a challenge and a joy. We are not protected from every aspect of evil that this world can offer, but we are expected to grow strong so that we can fight the good fight. Knowing that some puddles and narrow, difficult parts of the path are necessary and good for us will help us take up the challenge God offers and enjoy the trip.