The average American student spends 13 years in school before earning their high school diploma, Kindergarten and 1st-12th grade. Except for the elite academic students, almost everyone hits a rough patch at some time during their educational career. However, it is through these experiences that people learn from the school of hard knocks.
Unfortunately, some people suffer harsher trials than others. Meanwhile, other students experience larger periods of difficulty. Joseph spent 13 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, a real life Shawshank Redemption. Noah and his sons spent 120 years of hard labor building the ark, all the time being mocked and ridiculed for talking about a flood before rain ever fell on earth. According to Hebrews 12:7, this act of faith led Noah to be included into the Bible Hall of Faith, with his labor not being done in vain.
When I think about the poverty of third world nations or the trials people endured in the Old Testament, my situation doesn’t appear so bad. In fact, you could say that I am one of the most blessed people on earth, being born in the greatest nation in the world. Although 2012 has brought me some hard knocks, there is still so much to be thankful for in life. As I struggle to be patient as I wait on my next assignment from the Lord, I am a student for life in the school of hard knocks.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 