The mettle of a man is tested in adversities and he,
who remains firm in his beliefs comes out shining.
Sam Veda
(a hammer not up to the task / Julie Cook / 2020)
Definition of mettle
1a: vigor and strength of spirit or temperament (see TEMPERAMENT sense 1a)
a girl of … mettle who lost a baby brother to leukemia
— Bill Zehme
b: staying quality: STAMINA
equipment that proved its mettle
proved his mettle in battle
2: quality of temperament or disposition
gentlemen of brave mettle
— William Shakespeare
on one’s mettle
: aroused to do one’s best
Are you up to the task?
A time is coming, very soon, that you will be tried and tested.
What is the depth of your mettle?
Do not fear what you are about to suffer.
Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison,
that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation.
Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Revelation 2:10
cookiecrumbstoliveby 
Are we ready? Am I ready?
I hope I am
Those who have endured no hardships and overcome will really find the testing to be particularly hard. They need to know God’s strength is sufficient. Many do not know that. You are reaching some, dear Julie and others among your readers.
Thank you Oneta
Smiling at you.
Our country is going through a difficult time. Those of us who know the Lord must remain steadfast. Thomas Paine may have been inspired by that verse from Revelation when he wrote in The Crisis, “These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”
Thank you Anna—our founders knew a thing or two— there are are a few of us who remain that still realize that— it is certainly trying!!
The time of refining is different for all of us. I still feel I have to get my mettle tuned a bit.
You and me both— I think we’re getting fine tuned!!
That is undoubtedly true. If it weren’t I’d have died and gone to heaven a long time ago. I don’t think God is ready for me yet.
Great question, and great photo illustration. J.
Thank you— can’t let a broken hammer go totally to waste 😅
No indeed. J.
so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter: 7
Let’s all be golden as we are thrown into the fire & tested!!
Yeah boy!!!
How we need His grace to have the “mettle” in this day and age
Amen!
🙏