Normally, when we encounter a negative circumstance, we jump in bed and hide under the covers to avoid it, stick our head in the sand to ignore it, or go for a jog to outrun it. I used to iron every clean and wrinkled garment I could find until I depleted all my pent-up negative energy.
I never considered rejoicing in adversity, but that is what God’s Word advises us to do (Philippians 4:4-8). God can recommend this alternative behavior to us because He sees the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). He knows the results of the trials before they ever begin.
God recognizes and allows trials in our life in order to build our faith in His faithfulness to us (1 Corinthians 1:9). He also uses them to get us back on His straight and narrow road (Matthew 7:13-14), or to teach us a truth from His Word (John 17:16-18). God never leaves or forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5), and
Trials perfect and complete us when we cooperate with them. Our steadfast faith and trust in God have great value in our overall view of life and in His blessings that He continually pours out on us. He walks with us and in us through them all (1 Peter 5:10; John 16:33).
Jesus and His Spirit intercede for us with words that we could never aspire to speak (Romans 8:26-39; 1 John 1:8-2:2). He comforts us so we can support each other when others face circumstances similar to those we experience (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). We also receive comfort from those who already walked in the steps we are taking, and they can share Godly wisdom with us.
Our paycheck, accomplishments, talents, and successes do not give us our self-worth. Only our relationship with Jesus Christ provides us with lasting value and worth. Due to God’s constant love and provision for us, we will fight our battles on our knees in prayer rather than attacking people whom we consider are unsafe or threatening (Ephesians 6:12-13).
The smelting fire of trials strengthens us and brings out His beauty from within us (Malachi 3:3; Ezekiel 22:18). Although the fire is hot, God’s Spirit uses trials to mold us into the image of Christ in us. We often face insurmountable odds; yet God works out each one of them for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28), and He gets the glory due to His name.
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for replacing our worry with Your peace, depression with Your joy, and hopelessness with Your faith (Galatians 2:20). You often use loss to redirect our steps into circumstances that are better than we ever imagined. We diligently seek Your face during trials (Psalm 32:8), rather than attempting to work them out with our own human resources.
You are the Captain of Angel Armies (Joshua 5:14), and You win for us every battle that we face. Remind us to count it all joy when we encounter various trials (James 1:2-3), because we know that the trying of our faith produces steadfast patience, which makes us perfect, complete, and in need of nothing (James 1:3-5). Thank You for Your support for Your Saints, and for keeping us as the apple of Your eye, and in the palm of Your hand.
Thoughts for the Day:
When we view negative issues with an eternal perspective, we see things in and through them that the human eye and mind cannot see or comprehend. They are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14-3:9). That which we see as impossible problems to overcome, God views as future miracles on our behalf. God always works out every issue for our good (Romans 8:28).
