Weekly Thought – August 19, 2025
Fred spent his last years immobilized by physical incapacity. For over 7 years he underwent dialysis treatment three times weekly. Until the last months he continued to speak, mentor, and develop while seated in his wheelchair. Even in the last week of his life he hosted dozens in his Saturday morning “Fred in the Bed” sessions. This excerpt from a Sunday School lesson was delivered before his Saturday events took place.
Tribulation Payday
Until I spent several months on my back, unable to move I didn’t really appreciate the development of patience through tribulation. Perhaps I could have given you “three points of managing a patient attitude,” but I didn’t come with three points and a poem about patience. I do want you to know what I learned (and am still learning). Now I know that true patience reduces unhealthy distress without diminishing healthy stress. Patience brings poise to our life, enabling us to discern between important and unimportant. Tribulation is the soil in which patience flowers.
The Apostle Paul writes to the church at Rome and reminds them: “Tribulation brings about perseverance; perseverance, proven character’ and proven character, hope.” In his epistle we see the direct line between tribulation and hope – and the blessings in the process as character is developed.
Brother Lawrence prayed for tribulation in order to become stronger so that he might endure even more tribulation. He saw suffering as “God’s gymnasium.” My Type A friends always demand results – and quickly. Tribulation has no regard for personality types! It has its own rhythm and pace. Personally, I found patience to be the only answer to the frustration in these months. And, if honest, I recognized much of that restlessness and aggravation was related to the attack on my ego through dependence on others and extreme physical limitations. I wanted my own way; I wanted my own independence.
I know the response to tribulation can be a choice. We may not control the circumstances, but we can manage our attitude as Dr. Frankl taught us in “Man’s Search for Meaning.”
Patience, like most of our highly valued qualities, is slow growing. It is an oak tree, not a cornstalk. It is available to all of us when we are willing to pay the price. Our decision to face tribulation in faith and fortitude makes the difference.
In times of tribulation we must always remember sweating it out in God’s gymnasium is hard work, but we know our Coach has the plan for our maturity and transformed character.
This week think about: 1) Where is tribulation serving as gym time? 2) How can I practice spiritual discipline in troubled times? 3) Who can I encourage with Fred’s words this week?
Words of Wisdom: “Patience, like most of our highly valued qualities, is slow growing.”
Wisdom from the Word: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.” (Colossians 5:22 NET Bible)