BIRDS AND WINGS Author Unknown

An old legend says that God first created birds without wings.
Sometime later, God made wings and said to the birds, "Come, take up
these burdens and bear them." The birds hesitated at first, but soon
obeyed. They tried picking up the wings in their beaks, but found them
too heavy. Then they tried picking them up wit their claws, but found
them too large. Finally one of the birds managed to get the wings
hoisted onto its shoulders where it was possible to carry them.

To the amazement of the birds, before long the wings began to grow and
they soon had attached themselves to the bodies of the birds. One of
the birds began to flap his wings and others followed his example.
Shortly afterwards, one of the birds took off and began to soar in the
air above. What had once been a heavy burden now became the very thing
that enabled the birds to go where they could never go before...and at
the same time, truly fulfill the destiny of their creation. The duties
and responsibilities you count as burdens today may be part of God's
destiny for your life, the means by which your soul is lifted up and
prepared for eternity.

Don't be afraid of pressure. Remember that pressure is what turns a
lump of coal into a diamond.

You know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance
must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not
lacking anything. James 1:3,4

- taken from the book "God's Little Devotional Book for Everyone"