Revived

The boys were immunized today. The needle pierced through, the tears came, and the comforting arms embraced each fear away. Their health is ultimately revived due to being immunized; the health of the whole is revived because of immunization.

How do I explain that what they are receiving is a good thing - that it is a gift? How do I tell them that the pain is part of the package - a good package? How do I help them think of their shots as something to turn towards and see, rather than, shrink away from and reject?

As I pondered these thoughts, the LORD brought to mind how I have been brought through similar things in the spiritual sense. I often have gone down through the valley, in life, to then be brought back up to the mountain top. Challenges have been given to me (freely allowed by my Heavenly Father) that initially bring pain - like the pain of a needle - and in turn produce health to my mind, heart, and spirit. Challenges build my character. Challenges cause me to be revived and in a way, immunized, against the many punches and blows that any given day can produce.

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5