Trials come in all shapes, sizes, and varieties. Deer, squirrels, rabbits, and other animals and birds are nice to watch in the wild, but I don’t like when people feed them to draw them closer to homes. Then they can become invasive and destructive. I constantly had squirrels on my deck and they dug in the window boxes and ate all the tulip, hyacinth, and daffodil bulbs that I had planted there. Rabbits made nests in my flower garden and matted down the flowers to the point that they didn’t come back again that year. Birds are pretty to watch, but they poop all over everything which requires cleanup on my part. They were and are trials to me, especially when people who live near me feed these animals and birds and I’m chasing them away. Exasperation!
Types of trials. There are trials such as in court with a judge and jury to decide the fate of the person being tried. There are trials where you can get a product or service free for a limited amount of time to test it out and see if you like it and want to purchase it. Then there’s the trials of adversity, the things that try our patience, our love, our commitment. Of these trials of life, there are several reasons or causes for them.
- The first reason for some trials is that of our own sins or mistakes. We take an action that caused someone pain.
- The second reason for some trials is that this is a fallen world, full of sickness, disease, and fallen people. These happen because they are beyond our control.
- The third reason for some trials is that God wants us to grow through the experience. There might not be a concrete reason why a trial comes except that God wants to teach us through it.
Why me? Why now? When all is well, everyone’s happy, and the bills are all paid, we tend to relax…a little too much…and even glibly take credit for how everything is working out according to our plan. But what happens when one of those trials come our way? Then what’s our response? Why me? Why now? After all, everything was fine the way it was.
Why NOT me? Why NOT now? Those are the better questions to ask, though admittedly the harder ones both to ask and to answer. None of us likes to see our apple cart upset, our investments deteriorate, loved ones get sick or even die, or any number of negative situations. But that is when we grow in the Lord. This comes at a time for me that I’m needing to remind myself of this. So I’m squirming in my own seat right now and crying out for God’s wisdom and guidance even as I write this.
Biblical reasons for trials:
- To learn patience – “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)
- Don’t give up – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
- God’s discipline – “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:35-36)
- To be strong in the Lord – “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
- Grow and bear fruit – “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
- God could be protecting you from a bigger problem that you can’t see right now. “The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.” (Psalm 121:7)
Tomorrow we’ll look at the trials of Jesus preceding His death on the cross.
PRAYER POINT FOR TODAY:
Lord, I know that my trials have a purpose and they’re only momentary in light of eternity, but they are still painful. Give me the strength to wait on You as I go through them.
- Week 1 – temptation
- Week 2 – confession, forgiveness, and fasting
- Week 3 – listening to God and answering when He calls
- Week 4 – God’s love for us
- Week 5 – waiting, anxiety, and trust
- Week 6 – suffering (W), pain (T), and struggles (F-S), rejoicing (Palm Sunday), Trials (M-T-W), Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Silent Saturday
- Easter – resurrection and salvation