Patience and faith

Growing up, I was taught that if you asked for a character trait, God would put you in a situation to grow in that area. 

Specifically, patience. 

According to basically everyone I knew as an child, if you asked for patience God would send trials and annoying people or events your way in which you could build up your patience levels. 

And He would give no help.

But my views have changed now. What kind of loving God would throw His beloved children into a challenge with no lifeline?

That would be like an Olympic gymnast only training at competitions.

It's insane. And extremely stupid. 

So this thought has been giving me hope today in other requests as well. If I pray for faith, He's not gonna send me a difficulty just so I can do it on my own...

That's the key. 

We're not on our own. 

While, yes, we may stumble upon situations in which we can grow in these characteristics, but we will never do it alone. God has given us strength. He has already won the battle. We have the victory. 

<3jen