IT is quite normal and natural for us to worry about our bitter experiences of life. But our worries must be minimized lest the possibility of our life being useful and beautiful be spoilt. Most of us Christians.are spiritually blind. We do. not see God's purpose behind our adversity or misfortune until the clouds have cleared up. This is why the many things that we regard as misfortunes are actually blessings of God in disguise. Character becomes perfected through trials and every word of thanks that we offer to God lightens the burden of grief for us. Several of us can hear testimony to many Christians who are going through trials. They never complain but they are heard to say, I thank you, Lord. They see their sufferings as an opportunity for thanksgiving to God.

Thirdly, we must express our gratitude to God for the gift to forget the memory of pain. It is reported that when Joseph be got his first child h~ called him I/Manasseh'. The name means, 'God has made me forget all my toil". Joseph cast his mind back to the bleak morning when he was flung into a pit, sold by his own brothers, tempted and put into trouble by a woman, and finally cast into prison.

But that bitterness was a preparation for the happiest and most glorious period of his life. Suddenly God performed a miracle in his life; the bitterness of yester years was gone; his once servile position was change~, and he began to speak, not as a servant, but as a master, second in command to King Pharaoh. Until now he had been made to suffer indignities; later he was to be used as a channel of blessing and graciousness to his entire family. So, in an exuberance .of thankfulness, all that Joseph could say was audience have been bereaved before. The news was sudden; you did not even have time to prepare for it and when you heard it, not only were you stunned but the day became darkened and the world an empty space. It was an experience you cannot live over again in your mind.

Thank god, he has allowed time to wipe out that memory of pain from your mind.

At the time of the civil war, many families in our country were hard hit by the military conflict. Many suggested that after the conflict the bitterness would linger on. This has not been so, for God has made us to forget the sorrow so that now we are able to continue in this country as brothers and sisters, as one family under god. Even though the scar may be there, it will no longer be an open wound.

In~tead, God will preserve in our minds things we shall be glad to recall.

Fourthly, we should express our thanks to God because His mysterious hand saves us from dangers always. Have you not wondered why in a gruesome accident someone who sits next to you or in front of you or behind you may be killed while God preserves you to come and tell of a God who saves from death by a miracle?