In life on this planet, we are often either in a trial,
coming out of a trial or about to go into a trial. This is not a sign of
spirituality, punishment from God or an attack by Satan. Life just happens!
Sometimes, we simply reap what we sowed in life. Possibly they occur because of
acts of selfishness perpetuated by some other person. Some of them provide a
course-altering experience to get us back into God’s perfect will for us. Life
really is a rose garden, but did you notice...roses have thorns (1 Peter
1:6).
The trials in our life provide the fire for our Master
Blacksmith to shape and mold us into His divine nature. They strengthen our
fortitude, patience and spirituality, as they force us out of our comfort zone
and into unfamiliar and often unpleasant circumstances (James
1:2,12; I Peter 1:6). God’s desire is for us to respond to any negative
issues we experience with patient expectation and spiritual integrity, knowing
full well that His faithfulness will work out everything for our good (Romans
8:28).
Trials strengthen us and make us more resilient, so that
problems, which used to devastate us, no longer make any impression on us (John 16:33). Over
the years, we see God’s character and fruit replacing the personality traits with
which we were born (Galatians 5:22-23). He exchange our human identity
for His spiritual character. God always supernaturally sustains us and provides
for us in every trial (1 Corinthians 10:13). In fact, we usually end
up with more than we started with!
God uses trials to gain our attention and to manifest His
Son’s divinity within us (Isaiah 43:7; Genesis 50:20; John 9:3). We may
not understand what God is working out in our life, but He is faithful and we
can trust Him (Proverbs 20:24; Hosea 14:9). No matter what we
experience, even persecution for our faith, Heaven’s glory is worth it all (Romans
8:18). As we hide under the shadow of His wings, we trust in His
faithfulness (Romans 8:28). We enter into His rest and live
from a positive place of trust (Hebrews 4:10).
The world will constantly attempt to pull us back into its
mold. The devil will try to deceive us into compromising our convictions. Even
some in our family will fight to dissuade us from following hard after God (Psalm
63:8). The more we obey God’s Will, the more we realize that His ways are
perfect. He is a shield for us, if we only have the faith to take refuge in Him
(2
Samuel 22:31). Life gives us many options, but living in the center of
God’s will is the happiest place on earth.
Prayer:
Father God, Your sovereignty and purposes in our life build
Jesus’ character in our soul – our mind, will and emotions. We often try to
escape the trials of life, but You will not give us anything that Christ in us
cannot bear. We endure persecution and find contentment in all of our
circumstances because of Your Son and Spirit dwelling within us (Philippians
4:11). We are victorious over life’s trials through Your joy, as we live a
life of praise and prayer.
Thought for the Day:
Secure in Christ we can endure life’s trials with gratitude
and hope. 