Every computer printer shipped by a Colorado company is first frozen, then heated to 130 degrees Fahrenheit, and finally shaken violently for a quarter of an hour. This testing is the final step in a process called "ruggedization," which prepares an ordinary printer for use by the military. With its circuit boards secured and all components enclosed in a metal case, the printer is thoroughly tested to make sure it will work on the battlefield.

If that reminds you of the spiritual ruggedization you're undergoing today, take heart. It is God Himself, our loving Father, who allows the times of testing to prepare us to serve Him. When we find ourselves in difficult circumstances, the Bible offers the surprising instruction to "count it all joy . . . , knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience" (James 1:2-3).

Through it all, God invites us to ask Him for wisdom. Why? That we might know how to respond properly to our trials. He gives this wisdom "liberally" to all who ask (v.5).

If life was like a clean, air-conditioned office, then off-the-shelf Christians would be adequate to meet the need. But we inhabit a world engulfed in a life-or-death spiritual battle. As we trust God through the difficult times, we'll become rugged and ready, tested and prepared for greater usefulness.    — David C. McCasland