It was during my first job after college that I encountered a humbling misstep. I had designed a promotional leaflet for our company and sent it off for printing, only to discover upon delivery that the final size didn’t match my original specifications. Somewhere between planning and production, something had gone awry. Flustered and unsure how to fix the situation, I stood frozen until my team leader approached with a calm smile.
“Another lesson learned today,” he said. “This is how we grow. Every mistake is a step forward as long as we take what we’ve learned and do better next time.”
His words brought to mind a memory from another first: the first time I drove a car after earning my license. Nervous and alert, I gripped the steering wheel tightly, cautiously moving through a green light when a motorbike suddenly shot past me, having run the red. Had I been just a second faster, the outcome could have been catastrophic. I sat in silence, heart pounding, until my parents gently reassured me.
“That motorcyclist was your teacher today,” they said. “Things like that can happen anytime. What he did wasn’t right, but now you know to be ready, and how to stay calm.”
Mistakes and unforeseen trials visit us all. They are rarely easy, and never well-timed. But those who endure them with humility and reflection emerge stronger, better prepared for the road ahead. Through trial and error, I grew into a more capable designer, and a more confident driver.
Faith follows a similar path. The Scriptures say, “God, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” (1 Peter 5:10). The journey of faith is not without hardship, but those very hardships refine our trust and deepen our resolve.
Looking back, I realize I was never truly alone during those moments. There was always someone beside me—a seasoned team leader, caring parents—guiding me, encouraging me, reminding me that everything would be all right. Without them, I might have faltered. I might even have given up.
The same holds true in our spiritual walk. When storms rise and trials press hard against us, enduring them by our own strength can seem impossible. But we are not alone. We have the most steadfast Helper of all—our God—who longs for our salvation and safety more than anyone else. He watches over us, walks beside us, and faithfully leads us on the path of life.
The setbacks and tribulations we face in faith are, in truth, blessings in disguise. They shape our hearts, fortify our character, and prepare us for the eternal glory that awaits. Trusting in the God who never leaves my side, I will press on—ever growing, ever learning, ever striving to become the child He desires me to be.