“Many Christians keep themselves in a perpetual foment by hoping they will get into a situation where they can enoy a better (and easier) Christian life. They feel enclosed in a net of circumstances from which they cannot escape. They are so wearied and baffled and beaten by the continuous pressure about them they wish and itch for things to be different, quite sure that if they were only different Christ would be more real. It has not dawned on them that at the heart of these very circumstance they are to find the Lord Jesus, find His grace sufficient, find the life more abundant.”
L.E. Maxwell
The forces that squeeze us, are shaping us, for good or bad. The sculptor, squeezes clay to get the desired shape. Our Heavenly Father, sculpts through: hardship, suffering and trials, to produce the desired piece of art.
I can say I know how to forgive deeply, however, until someone wrongs me severely, that is lip service only. We learn from suffering. Sometimes the greatest learning is simply learning that I can’t leave my Heavenly Father’s side for a minute.
There’s saying, “Hurt people-hurt people.” If not turned over to God, those forces can squeeze some people into abusers.