“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
— James 1:2-3

Growing up on a farm in rural Greene County, Mississippi, I didn’t much like hoeing or picking cotton under the hot, blazing sun. One day, as sweat dripped down my face, I asked my dad why we couldn’t grow crops in the cool shade of the trees around our farm.

Instead of giving me a direct answer, Dad handed me a handful of corn seeds and told me to plant them beneath the old oak tree near our house. He hitched up our mule, Kate—who had a stubborn streak of her own—and plowed up a small patch of ground. Together, we planted the seeds, and I eagerly checked on them every day.

Before long, little green shoots began to poke through the soil. I was thrilled at first, imagining they’d grow tall and strong like the corn out in the open field. But as time went by, I noticed the plants under the tree stayed weak and stunted. They never grew tall or full.

That’s when Dad explained, “Son, life isn’t easy—and neither is growing good crops. Corn needs the heat of the sun to grow strong, just like we need challenges to grow in life.”

I’ve never forgotten that lesson. Just as the corn needed the sun, we need life’s trials to strengthen us. When we go through hardships, God is shaping us, deepening our faith, and preparing us for the work He has called us to do.

The next time you face a difficult season, remember: it may feel uncomfortable, but it’s part of your growth. Just like the corn in the sun, you’ll come out stronger, rooted in faith, and ready to bear fruit for God’s kingdom.

Prayer:
Lord, help me to trust You in the heat of life’s challenges. When the trials feel overwhelming, remind me that You are using them to strengthen my faith and grow me closer to You. Amen.