The trials of life are inevitable. Tribulation even comes to those who walk uprightly before the Lord (Matthew 5:45). Paul learned two secrets through the things, which he suffered.
First, he
learned to be content whether he had plenty or when he had nothing, when he
lived in comfort or when he suffered deprivation, and when he saw the fruit of
his ministry or when he simply planted or watered (Philippians 4:11-12; 1
Corinthians 3:6-7).
Secondly,
he learned to count every trial and tribulation as a joyous event (James
1:2-18). I never understood this insane view of suffering; until the day that I
suffered the dissolution of my family.
This was
by far the worst thing that could ever happen to me. I can bear physical pain
and death, but I was inconsolable from the magnitude of my emotional loss when
I was literally cut out of my family circle.
God previously
tried through numerous trials to teach me to surrender all to Him, to enter His
place of rest and to have faith in His faithfulness (Proverbs 3:5-6; Hebrews
4:10-11).
Yet,
through every trail I struggled, often in vain, to use my own human resources
to remedy the situation. However, this time there was no repairing the rupture of
my family unit through divorce.
This is
when I learned the Serenity Prayer. I had no recourse but to hand this
devastating trial completely to God to do with as He saw fit. What I learned
from this situation changed my life.
Now when I
experience a trial, I view it as a sidewalk. If I focus on the details of the
journey, I experience fear and insecurity. If I remember that there is a seed
for a miracle in every trial, I feel only hope and anticipation.
I look
toward the end the trial with the eyes of faith (Hebrews 11:1), expecting to
see a miracle just up ahead. I keep my mind focused on God's Kingdom and His
will for me in this trial.
I serve at
the pleasure of our King Jesus. If He allows a loss or trial or tribulation in
my life, it is for His glory and my good (John 9:3; Romans 8:28). I can count
on Him, because He is always faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9).
God uses
us in times of trial to share the Gospel with someone; to live through this
storm as an example of Christ's peace within us; and for God to form His character,
the fruit of His Spirit, and Christ's divine nature in us through the things,
which we suffer (Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:4; Ephesians 2:10).
I count
trials as joyful experiences now, as I focus on the eternal consequences and
not the temporal aspects of each one. I look forward to the ultimate miracle,
which this trial shall birth in my life.
Prayer:
Father
God, trials also taught me that as I continually live in Your presence and walk by Your Spirit, I will experience
far fewer trials, than if You have to resort to trials to gain my attention.
Satan also
uses circumstances to batter us with temptations and trials all throughout our
life; but we thank You that Christ in us is greater than the god of this world
(Job 2:3; 1 John 4:4). Remind us that Jesus already won the victory for us over
every negative aspect of life (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Thought
for the Day:
Trust your
life to God's capable hands.
