Key scripture – “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5 NIV).

Pastor Charles Swindol told the following story. In the northeastern United States, codfish are not only delectable, they are a big commercial business. There’s a market for eastern cod all over, especially in sections farthest removed from the northeast coastline.

But the public demand posed a problem to the shippers. At first they froze the cod, then shipped them elsewhere, but the freeze took away much of the flavor. So they experimented with shipping them alive, in tanks of seawater, but that proved even worse. Not only was it more expensive, the cod still lost its flavor, and in addition, became soft and mushy. The texture was seriously affected.

Finally, some creative soul solved the problem in a most innovative manner. The codfish were placed in the tank of water along with their natural enemy—the catfish. From the time the cod left the East Coast until it arrived in its westernmost destination, those ornery catfish chased the cod all over the tank! And you guessed it, when the cod arrived at the market, they were as fresh as when they were first caught. There was no loss of flavor nor was the texture affected. If anything, it was better than before.

A couple of questions seem worth asking.

First, can you name some catfish swimming in your tank? Maybe you live with one of them. Or it’s somebody at work whose irritating presence gets on your last nerve and drives you to your knees before God several times a week. Everyone has a few catfish in their life. They’re there to keep all the cod from getting soft, mushy, and tasteless.

Second, have you given thanks for them lately? God’s mission is to use those “catfish” to shape you into the image of His Son. “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”(Romans 8:29-30).

Just think, it’s that tension in the tank that helps “the image of Christ” emerge in us, and with the right attitude, we can learn how to keep from resenting them as intruders as the chase continues. To do so we’ll need to put an end to pity parties and whine clubs and gripe gatherings and complaining sessions in the tank. When we do, it is nothing short of remarkable how closely the chase begins to resemble “the race” mentioned in Hebrews 12: 1-13.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.” (NIV).

Are you ready to thank God for the “catfish” in your life?

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, I want to thank You for the “catfish” in my life. Forgive me for not reacting to the “catfish” with joy and seeing them as a wonderful blessing, because they are being used by You to change me. I am learning through each “catfish” how to react with joy because James told us, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4 NIV). Father, I want to be mature and complete, lacking nothing. Give me the grace to have an attitude of gratitude no matter what I am going through and no matter how many “catfish” are around me. Help me to see the trials in my life through Your eyes, and that they are being used to take me to a new level spiritually, from glory to glory. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.