2349) I learn a lot from my young scholars. Some lessons come as I observe their words and actions.

One such observation is when one of them is sharpening a pencil. They’ll grind it and grind it and grind it and then, almost always on cue, they’ll say, This pencil won’t sharpen.

At this point, I smile and look at them and say, why do you keep doing it if it’s not working?  Those words hold an awful lot of wisdom for me.

John 16:33 tells us our world and life hold many tribulations. Because of this, I will often fight so hard to avoid these things, but it often doesn’t work. This life is always going to hold tribulations. I should acknowledge this.

I can accept this if I read the rest of the verse, which states, but take heart; I have overcome the world.

Instead of fighting, often desperately, some of the unfortunate things of this life, I can step back, asking God for endurance, knowing the next life will hold no tribulation for God’s children.