Read James
1:2-15.
One of the greatest
challenges I face is seeing the trials that I face as assets. It is through
those trials – difficult and distressing as they may be – that my faith becomes
stronger. In them I learn to trust in God’s providence and His promises. So today,
instead of grumbling or bemoaning, I want to ask: “God, what can I learn today? How can I grow?”
We are always searching for ways to grow deeper in our faith and wanting to connect more with Jesus, but verse 2 reminds me that when I'm walking through the most difficult times of my life, my faith will be strengthened. When it seems like God is furthest from me, He is drawing me even closer to Himself.
ReplyDeleteGod's timing is always perfect. Even when we are going through trials and we don't have what we want.
ReplyDeletePeople have asked me whether I wish that my husband and I had met sooner in life, or whether I wish we had met each other first instead of experiencing broken marriages to others. Of course I wish we'd had more time together here on earth than the few brief years we had. But I know we met exactly when we were supposed to meet.
The trials and temptations we went through before we met are what made us the people who were so perfectly right for each other. We were meant to heal each other's broken places and restore each other's faith. We couldn't have done it - at least I know I couldn't have done it - without having gone through everything we had up to that point.
Especially looking at the last few years while his health was failing, I can say with certainty that if we had met earlier I wouldn't have been the person who could walk that walk with him. I would not have grown enough to be who he needed me to be. And so I'm grateful for all the trials that came before, so that I could be.
God's strength is made perfect in our weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Thank you so much for sharing this part of your story! God's timing IS always perfect and seeing how He has worked the events in your life to be something that you can use to connect and share with others who are walking through their darkest seasons is an amazing testimony.
DeleteWhen I think of trials and tribulations, I think of endurance. We are never promised a life that is free of difficult situations, pain and suffering. We must continue and never give up. In my office I have a picture of a warrior that says:
ReplyDelete“The Days are evil dress appropriately.”
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:10-17
I think of this scripture often. I may never understand why I am going through a situation. When I cry out to God, I will believe and trust that I have a Father in heaven that knows me better than I know myself and he will sustain me.
"Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
ReplyDeleteThis verse stands out to me regarding PATIENCE. I think back to my dad teaching me how to respond to tough times/events and he'd always say, "working through trials builds character" (the exact opposite of what seems to be the mantra of many people/parents in the last couple of decades, who say, "I just want to FIX this trial and move on"). God knows we are impatient in many things, so we are reminded to allow persistence and GRIT to "finish its work." The true test for me is trusting God for a longer period of time, not giving up on the result just because it doesn't fit into MY timeline for completion. Without a doubt, this patience will produce a spiritual maturity that I otherwise would not have.
It's not on the mountaintop experiences where our faith grows the most; rather, it's in the deep, low and darkest of valleys where our trust, faith and dependence upon Jesus is strengthened to endure.
ReplyDeleteI praise God that he is right there with me through all of life's trials, no matter how big or small. Though it may hurt at the time, it will be for our strength and benefit long term.
ReplyDelete