“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambitions inspired, and success achieved.” – Helen Keller

When we think of people we admire, and desire to be like, they are people who have not had an easy life. They have experienced a great deal of trial and suffering. Helen Keller is a prime example of this.  Her parents started off catering to her every whim. How they must have pitied her, being deaf, blind and unable to speak.  But soon they realized she must be trained and disciplined or she would destroy herself and their entire family. So, they sought a teacher and found Annie Sullivan.

Both Annie and Helen went through many trials and much suffering in order to reach the goal of teaching Helen to read, write, and, eventually, to speak.  But Helen went on to become a great woman of achievement and Character, admired by all who knew her.  It was the trials and suffering that produced the strength of character in both the teacher and the pupil.  Of course, many people go through trials and suffering and just give up in despair and never achieve anything.  They may just become a burden to their friends and family. so, it is the response we make to the trials and suffering that makes the difference.

When Helen Keller realized she could learn to read, write and speak, she was determined to do so, no matter how hard she had to work. Once you realize that you can be all that God wants you to be, are you willing to do all that you can and let God do what you can’t no matter what?

Helen Keller’s  story of how she and her teacher persevered and all that Helen achieved has been and is for all time an inspiration to everyone.  If someone with her challenges can achieve greatness, then anyone can. Anyone, that is, willing to work long and hard and not give up no matter how difficult the obstacles may seem can become all that God wants them to be!

We  love this quote and the story of Helen Keller because it shows how trials and suffering are like stepping stones to greatness.

They are absolutely necessary and are like exercise for the path that God has you on. So no matter how bad things are in your life, or what hasn’t gone right or what isn’t right in your life, if you do what you can and  work hard,  believe and have faith in God,  He will help you get to the turnaround that He has charted  just for you!