Building Character
By Charles Swindoll

In the Northeastern United States, codfish are a big commercial business.

Note the following facts: There is a market for eastern cod all over, especially in the sections farthest removed from the northeastern 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 shipper 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 at 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. 

Each one of us is in a tank of particular inescapable circumstances. It is painful enough to stay in the tank. But in addition, there are God-appointed 'catfish' to bring sufficient tension to keep us alive, flavored, alert, fresh, and growing. It's all a part of God's project to shape  our character so we will be more like His Son. Understand why the catfish are in your salt-water tank. Understand they are part of God's method of producing character in your life, and mine. Let's not lose the flavor or the salt.