Have you ever looked for a job, only to find that all the positions you are interested in require previous experience? But how can you gain this experience if you can't get a job? A new bank manager once asked the old one the secret of his success, "That's easy," he replied, "By having experience." "But how do I gain this experience?" asked the new manager, "It's simple, by making lots of bad decisions."

Experience is a tough teacher; it gives you the test first and the lesson later. God is always looking for experienced help, but when you work for him, he uses everything you've been through, no matter how painful. Jesus learned obedience to his Father through what he had to suffer. You will find that in life, perspective changes everything, especially when you learn to see your life's experiences through fresh eyes. For example, suffering in a particular area; such as guilt, fear, anger, addiction or insecurity, all this helps you to understand and to help others.
Experience isn't what happens to you, so much as what you do with what happens to you.

When you experience times of testing, you've only two choices, give up, or fight on. Peter trembled when asked, "Are you one of his disciples?" He of course denied it and said, "I am not." But he repented and reconnected with Christ after the resurrection and was filled with God's spirit and ended up leading the church. Yes! there's no other substitution for experience, except for even more experience.

Jesus, we put our hand in yours, for we are afraid. We may laugh in public, but in our heart our memories still cause us pain and distress.