Surface

Most artists have a particular surface they prefer to paint on. Canvas, in cotton, linen or a variety of other fabrics is the most prevalent, but the choices are not limited to these. All manner of board, paper, and panel, make it confusing for the novice, and exciting for the expert. For those of us somewhere in between, we experiment, until we settle on one, (or a few) we are most comfortable with, and best suit our method, and subject.
We have an obligation to our patrons, to ensure our work is archival, and will stand the test of time, hence our choices must be appropriate.
My personal favorite is Ampersand Deep Cradled Gesso Board (with two inch edges), for oil paint, and Arches 140 lb, hot press, water color paper, for drawing, and any water media. Both of these surfaces have silky, smooth, finishes, I like to glide my hand over, before getting down to business. They lend themselves well to my favorite techniques, and subject (water). When I decide to utilize canvas, I find myself sanding, reworking, and polishing, until I have a surface, on which the paint flows and glides (much like my favored subject). It takes no little effort to achieve my purpose. Finally, I am ready to make my painting.
I believe our Heavenly Father handles us in the same manner. For each one of us, He has a particular surface, He prefers. He uses our life experiences, our problems, difficulties, complications, and obstacles, to to rework the "surface", of our hearts. Many times it takes quite a bit of effort, to make us into something smooth enough, to reflect His glory. We frequently have trouble remembering, it's not Him placing misfortune in our lives, but our choices, that bring them to us. Fortunately, He is able to see beyond our "issues", and use them to prime us, for our purpose. Thereafter, we are prepared, to become His work of art.

  Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places.
 5 Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed 
Isaiah 4:4b,5a NLT