A.W. Tozer once wrote: “It’s doubtful that God can use anyone greatly until he has hurt him deeply.” Thinking of our Heavenly Father as one who “crushes” or “hurts” us makes most of us uneasy.

The truth is, some people are more challenging than others—especially when they are proud or arrogant. The Bible reserves some of its harshest words for those who are proud.

The Apostle Paul was one of those challenging, arrogant people—“the chief of sinners,” in fact—until God arrested his attention on a Damascus road and transformed him.

God also bends, softens, moulds, reshapes, and humbles us as He begins the process of a complete, divine makeover.