My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything. James 1:2-4
New English Translation
Growing pains. I remember them. You remember them. They were so unpleasant. Yet, an indicator of something better to come…a sign that growth was happening. Sure, we’d love it if we hadn’t had to go through growing pains before we got taller, but we know that isn’t an option.
The same thing is true when it comes to spiritual growth. It can be painful at times. Trust me, it can be very painful. Trials can be part of the growing process. Sometimes they are the only way that growth will occur. When life is easy and makes you comfortable, the things that you need to let go of and the growth that you need is much harder to notice because it’s part of the “norm.” But, shake things up a little and experience a trial or two and those same things will become much more obvious.
We all experience different kinds of trials. Sometimes we even go through multiple trials at the same time. They can look like people dumping their problems on you and expecting you to carry it for them. It can be someone who makes you be their spiritual strength rather than doing it themselves. It can be physical pains, health issues, or even mental attacks. It can be losing a job, losing a family member, or losing a friend. Really, the types of trials are limitless.
I’ve been through so many trials lately that I understand it can be discouraging. Staying positive is sometimes the greatest achievement of a day. Yesterday, in the midst of a mental war trying to steal back my thoughts from the shaming and distracting of the enemy, I found myself simply saying, “Lord, thank you for the trials because they make me stronger.” Sure, not every time I repeated that phrase was I super happy and bouncing off the walls, but being thankful before the Lord even for the difficulties is one step closer to joy than just letting myself be bombarded by the enemy.
Now, let’s get one thing straight: God is not attacking you. He is not out to get you. We see in the book of Job that the person who dumps all this crap on you is Satan, not God. However, because God loves you, He does allow you to experience trials so you can learn important lessons. Remember, though, that in the book of Job God put limitations on what Satan could do to Job because He loved Job. God’s got your back, He’s protecting you even in the lessons you need to learn, which is yet another reason to be thankful.
So, what trials are you going through? A divorce? Cancer? Family drama? Friend issues? The list can go on, but remember, through the trial you can learn something about yourself and about God. Maybe you haven’t seen it yet, I know that usually it takes me some time to see the lesson in the trial. However, just because it takes some time to see doesn’t mean the lesson isn’t there.
Are you moving one step closer to finding joy in the trial? Or are you letting the enemy tear you apart as you wallow in self pity? Now is your chance for a victory. Thank God for the trials and the lessons you’ve learned. Even if you can’t say it with a smile, start with gratitude. A journey begins with a single step.