Love your trials

Thanksgiving '09 I heard someone bear a testimony that will stick with me forever. This individual said, "I am so grateful for my trials and tribulations." This statement startled me and caught me off guard to say the least. I had never heard someone say that they loved trials. Why on earth would you say that? Sure, I know we have to have them and everything, but that doesn't mean I like them. I thought about what he said. I know there are many people that are a lot worse off than I am or have been, but I have been through a lot. Granted, most of it was all self inflicted, I put myself through a lot of grief and pain. I came to realize why this person said they loved trials when I came across this scripture today in Romans 5:3-4, "...but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:". Because of the things that I've experienced in my life, I am able to have hope. Hope in a better tomorrow. Hope that someone is there to listen to my problems and succor me. That someone is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  The world is not over when a life changing event happens, or when our chips are down.  Look at it as an opportunity to learn something. God is teaching us something, and it's up to us if we are going to figure out what it is.  I love the ability to grow and learn, no matter how it may come about.