Lord, Your servant prefers a feast of blessing, not a diet of tribulation. I would much rather traverse the lake under beautiful skies and calm weather. Give me favorable winds to fill the sails of my preferences and keep the sun shining down on my face. Yes, that is the carnal condition of my heart. But Your ways are higher than my ways, Lord. And for that I am grateful. When I am alone in the dark, tossed to and fro on the waves of unfavorable circumstances, You are with me. Through hardship, You develop the character of my faith. Faith untested is as worthless as a sail on a still and quiet day. Through the mighty winds of adversity You usher me into the shores of holiness. Let the storms come if it offers me the opportunity to come to You upon the water. I trust in Your hand’s strength to hold me. As long as I keep my eyes on You, I need not fear the storm. so disregard my preferences, Lord; and submit me to Your will. At the core of my being I want the best in me to bring glory to You. Winter as well as summer, frigid temperatures as well as balmy days, clouds as well as clear blue skies all play a role in developing the spiritual fruit destined to grow and ripen to maturity. Do what is necessary for such fruit to be worthy, Lord. I am Yours. Under the blessed Word of God found Isaiah 55:8-9 and the authority of Christ Jesus, I bow in humble prayer.

For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are My ways higher than your ways
    and My thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9, RSV