I don’t know about you, but I sometimes dream of a life of ease.  A nice house with no problems, a nice car that doesn’t break down, no relationship problems, a job where I always have fun, and the list could go on.

However, we live in a sin-cursed earth and so these things aren’t possible.  I also know that God uses difficult things to perfect us (James 1).

I have read that when a baby bird is still in the egg, it needs to peck its own way out – or it can’t survive.  If anyone helps the bird get out it becomes weak.  God works the same way by strengthening us through difficulties (2 Cor. 12:9).

So don’t pray for a life of ease.  Don’t pray to avoid trials.  Pray to be strengthened by God through whatever difficulties He allows.  We need to make God everything.  His way is always worth it.