Trials Precede Blessings

This is a key lesson in memorizing Scripture (and all of life, really): 

Trials precede blessings. 

For example, the more difficulty you have in memorizing a verse in the first place, the longer it will stick with you.  Right now I am dealing with the incredible difficulty of memorizing multiple Gospels, especially the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke).  These books contain many sections that are very similar, which makes keeping multiple versions in your head very, very difficult.  Years ago I memorized Mark, but when I memorized Luke I had to let Mark go.  Now I am re-learning Mark and having the same problem with Luke.  This time, however, I am determined to keep both, because...

Trials precede blessings.

I figure if I can put in the hard work (and I mean HARD WORK) to sort out all of the different versions of the same parables, there will be an incredible blessing waiting there.  I will know those stories extremely well, and God must have some purpose for keeping the multiple versions.  Lord help me when it comes time to memorize Matthew!  Then I will have three, and sometimes four, versions in my head of the same stories.  Ahhh! 

I can do everything through Him who Him who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:13)

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God;  all things are possible with God."  (Mark 10:27)

For nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:37)