The story is told of an old farmer who had a donkey that fell into an old abandoned well. As the farmer thought about the situation, he came to the conclusion that the donkey was old, and the well needed to be filled. He recruited some help and started to shovel dirt into the well.
After they shoveled awhile the farmer noticed something happening, as they shoveled the donkey shook off the dirt and stepped up. By the time the well was full the donkey walked out and went back to grazing in the pasture.
Each of us at some time in our lives will find ourselves in situations where we feel like dirt is being thrown on us. Maybe it is through trials, loneliness, or times of discouragement. When these things happen, we each have a choice. We can let these things bury us or be like the donkey and shake it off and keep stepping forward. We need to try to view problems of life as stepping stones, and learn from them.
James 1:2-4 says: 2. My brethren count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations. 3. Knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
We cannot escape troubles in our lives, but we can become stronger through each one. So when you are going through trials, ask God to help you to see how to learn from them, move ahead, and trust him more.
Submitted by Elton Gingerich
