Twisted and Toughened

I saw a beautiful picture of a tree that had been twisted and toughened over time. You cannot help but wonder what storms it had endured to get to this state. Endured it has and while it was now dead, it is still a thing of beauty that gives us pleasure to look at.

As humans we have to survive storms as well. We get battered by our circumstances, other people and illness. Nobody comes through the battles of life unscathed? BUT - Do we come out the other side, just twisted and toughened with no beauty? Are we so twisted with revenge, anger or hate that we drive all those around us away or do something worse? Are we so toughened that we fail to show empathy or sympathy for our fellowman and stop caring for those who are going through battles of their own?

It is possible to come through all these things, twisted, toughened and beautiful. We can be twisted with passion to help others, tough enough to keep pushing on when others tell us to give up and by show a caring spirit we became beautiful to those that we touch.

One example that comes to mind is William Wilberforce. How he battled all those years, not only to achieve the abolition of slavery but many other reforms. Yes, he is dead now, but his life is looked upon as something strong, tough and beautiful.

In Hebrews 12:5-8 we are told that if we face tough circumstances with Jesus as our friend, He will help us, strengthen us and then one day we will go to Heaven to be with Him. That is why He came to earth. When we are gone, will you be seen as; beautiful, twisted, toughened or all three?