I visited a newborn baby in the hospital yesterday. The family and I watched from behind a window as the little fellow endured his first hour outside the womb. He was stuck, poked, prodded, wiped, wrestled, monitored and tested. He had solution put in his eyes and water run over his head. All the while he was protesting vociferously, perhaps wondering what he had done to deserve such a rough welcome into this world.

No doubt that is how we sometimes feel as our heavenly Father allows us to be tried and tested. We helplessly endure what seems like an endless barrage of discomforting situations, wondering what purpose is served by each trial that comes our way.

But like the medical personnel in a maternity ward, God knows what he is doing. He wants the best for his children, and he won’t coddle us when we need to be poked and prodded in order for us to grow strong and healthy.