Often the time before the Feast of Tabernacles includes trials. The way we respond to these trials will influence (negatively or positively) our spiritual growth. We should continue to develop a closer relationship with God, increasing the frequency and magnitude of our prayers. We need to anticipate eventualities over which we have some control. One way to deflect the onerous pain of a trial is to develop a positive, other-centered, service attitude, responding to other people's needs. When we finally enter our glorified state in God's Kingdom, the trials we go through now will pale into insignificance.