TRIALS

Are you going through a difficult trial? One that feels hard?  I want to tell you something...

Trials come to strengthen us, purify us, help us endure and mature. God Himself decides the severity and length of the trial, so, be at peace, your Heavenly Father is in control of it, and He loves you!

Let us not say, "Father, release me from this trial," but rather recognize what Jesus faced when He went to the cross, as he questioned saying that very thing!!!

"Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour." (John 12:27)

Don't define yourself by what you are going through - You are made in the image of God (Gen 1:27).

Let your heart remember:

James 1:2-4 (KJV): "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

James 1:12 (KJV): "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love Him."

Romans 5:3-5 (KJV): "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us."

1 Peter 5:10 (KJV): "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you."

HOW TO ENDURE TRIALS

First, let's define what a trial is.  How do you know you are in a trial?  It is simply when you know you are facing something greater than yourself - greater than anything you can do to get yourself out of it or change it. 

Second,  how you face that trial means everything.  As a child of God, what do you think God wants you to do?  Do you think He wants you to face it alone?  No!    Do you think He wants you to be a coward and shrink back in the face of it?  No!  

Third,  knowing God cares for you (gave His life for you – John 3:16) and loves you is going to determine how you look at the trial.  If you know He has compassion on you and wants to see you made perfect, you are not going to resist what He is doing...please don't resist what He is doing... remember that He is the one who is in control of it... Remember David, remember Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and Isaiah 43:2... You will not burn when you go through the fire. 

Fourth:  Trusting God with your life is essential.  He formed you (Jer 1:5), He gave you life (Gen 2:7), He saved you (Eph 2:8-9).  Knowing this reminds you that no matter what happens, He is on your side and working out all things for your good and His glory (Rom 8:28).  We can trust God with everything because He is God and He sees and knows everything about us and He is the way to eternal life.  Remember when Peter said (in John 6:68), "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." 

That should be enough, but in case it's not, remember when Jesus calmed the storm with His hand?  (Mark 4:35-41).  He has power over everything... Not just nature, but everything you are going through.   Oh, may He show you this life He gives and bring you His peace.  He is our shelter, He is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble and in the storms of our lives.  (Psalm 46:1). God is with you in every season...lean into Him. He is going to get you through.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

(Rom 6:23)