Better is the end of a thing
than its beginning.
—Ecclesiastes 7:8
Physical therapy is a beast. An impaired body part must be pushed to reach peak performance, so the therapist pushes her patient to the point of pain. She is appreciated after the fact but loathed during the act.
Similarly, development of spiritual strength sometimes involves injury and rehabilitation. It’s easy to be elated when everything’s going your way and tranquil when there is no struggle in your life. But you don’t learn contentment when you have everything you want or patience when you encounter no obstacle. You grow by being confronted with uncomfortable circumstances and unpleasant people.
Adversity is often the therapy that produces maturity. Painful experiences are unwelcome, but the result of endurance is the blessing of growth. “Endings are better than beginnings” (Eccl 7:8 MSG).
The price of maturity is adversity.