James 1:2-3 (NKJV) 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
I don’t care much for surprises of the negative kind; the unexpected event or situation that upends my day and requires me to make adjustments to accommodate unwelcome trouble or trials.
It’s just part of how I am wired.
But as a child of God who is (increasingly) led by the Holy Spirit, I have come to understand, as you probably have too, that trials are part of life.
Believers are not exempt. We have no clause in our salvation that states our lives will be free from trouble.
In fact, sometimes being a Christian invites trials.
Standing up for our faith will sometimes draw unwanted attention that can cause difficulties we would rather not have.
Other times, difficulties arise that have nothing to do with our faith at all; they are just part of life in general.
Regardless of how they come, we must be able to learn to deal with them properly.
If we fail to learn this, we will constantly be miserable, never learning how to be content in any situation.
So, knowing all of this, and learning from God’s word over the years of my life, I have come to understand that I cannot simply ignore trials, try to brush them off or spend my days wallowing in misery as trials arise and play out.
Trials are actually good for us, despite what we might think.
As James states above, trials test our faith. And they produce patience if we let God lead us through them His way.
This does not mean that we will grow to love trials. That is not likely for anyone.
But it does mean that, as we mature, we will address trials differently, allowing God to guide us and teach us, instead of spending our days mired in self-pity and sharing our anguish with everyone who will lend us an ear.
Instead, God will teach us to hold our tongues, go to Him for guidance and walk through our trials one step at a time, as He shows us His way to handle whatever we are facing.
And as we look back at a trial that we have worked our way through, we will do so joyfully rather than with disdain, giving Him the glory and honor for His faithfulness.
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443
401-439-3780
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