The Squeeze Chute

You have seen it. You push that yearling or old mama cow down the alley and into the squeeze chute, her head gets pinched off from the rest of her body, she blows hard and her eyes are a little wild with fear, or at least a lack of understanding. She does not realize that what is taking place is not bad for her but because of this crisis she finds herself in now she will be a better cow. She will be vaccinated, palpated, blood will be drawn to be tested and a myriad of other things. But when she is released and returned to her herd she will be better able to be what she is supposed to be.

James said that we should “count it pure joy. . .whenever you face trial of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4 NIV) Another way to say this may be that when we find ourselves in the “squeeze-chute” of life we should not panic but understand that when all the “doctorin’” is done we will be in better shape to face our futures and be the person we were created to be.

That does not necessarily mean that the “squeeze-chute” of life is fun, or even comfortable but if we are looking for it we will find the meaning of our “testing” and when we are in God’s will we will even be able to find a peace.

I pray today that you are able to find the peace that Jesus has to offer in this life. If you do not have that peace because of a situation you are in then give it to Jesus. Let him teach you how to handle it…then you will find that when your faith develops perseverance the outcome will be that you will be a step closer to being mature and complete!