Analogy

“Though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” - 1 Peter 1:6-7

James and I were recently visiting friends of ours and attended church with them on a Sunday morning. The minister said something that really caught my attention. He used an analogy. This analogy compared a Christian's journey in life to that of a chick breaking from its egg and how if you tried to help the chick out of the egg it would not survive. This is a rite of passage of sorts for all baby chicks. They must break their egg shell to make it into the world.

We all have gone through trials and tribulations. We also know friends and family that we love dearly that have been through trials and tribulations of their own. These trials and tribulations are like the shell that the chick has to break through. We all know that God is not going to put us through difficulties that we cannot handle with His guidance. We all must go through these trials and usually must do it with only the help of God.

When we see loved ones going through their own trials and tribulations the first thing we want to do is jump in and make all of their problems go away. There are many different kinds of these problems. Recently we have had family and friends go through the trial of losing a family member (or friend) to death. In this trial, we cannot just jump in a take away the pain. We may want to, but we cannot. God is the only one that can provide true comfort in that time of loss.

Instead of trying to solve one another’s problems, we must show them the true love of Jesus Christ and allow them to navigate their own trials with that love of Christ. They must crack their own egg shell and grow in their faith.

Prayer: Lord God, surround every one of us with your love, presence, and comfort. Guide us through our trials and tribulations. Thank you for all you do for us and for those around us. In your precious name, Amen.