A blacksmith, about eight years after he had given his heart to God, was approached by an intelligent unbeliever with the question:"Why is it you have so much trouble? I have been watching you. Since you have been converted as they say, and seem to love everybody, you have twice as many trials and accidents as you had before. I thought that when a man gave himself to God his troubles were over. Isn't that what the parson tells us?"

With a thoughtful but glowing face, the blacksmith replied:

"Do you see this piece of steel? It is for the spring of a carriage. But it needs to be 'tempered.' In order to do this, I heat it red-hot, and then cool it with water. If I find it will take a 'temper,' I heat it again; then I hammer it, and bend it, and shape it, so it will be suitable for the carriage. Often I find the steel too brittle, and it cannot be used. If so, I throw it on the scrap-pile. Those scraps are worth less than one cent a pound; but this carriage spring is valuable."

He paused and his listener nodded. The blacksmith continued:"God saves us for something more than to have a good time. That's the way I see it. We have the good time all right, for the smile of God means heaven. But He wants us for service, just as I want this piece of steel. And He puts the 'temper' of Christ in us by testings and trials."

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings:that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy" (1 Pet. 4:12,13).

"He knoweth the way that I take; when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10).

"Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God" (Isa. 62:3).