Tread Grapes

0:00Hi, I'm Johnny Erson Tata. I don't know who said it, or exactly when I heard it, but somewhere in my paralyzed life, a Christian Fred said, Johnny, sanctified afflictions are your spiritual promotions. Wow, that residue with me back then, and it still does today after decades of my wheelchair. It's like the treading of grapes will always bring out the sweetest juices from the vine. The working of affliction in the same way feels unpleasant at the time, but it brings out the sweetest graces, not the least of which is that we become weaning from the world. We learn how to rest in God, and we understand the meaning of submission. Yes, I'm in a wheelchair, but you may be facing other sorts of limitations. And friend, all I can say is, use affliction while you have them. You won't have them in heaven, so today allow God to tread grapes in your life. It's always unpleasant at first, but very sweet in the end.