Making Sense of Our Trials
"Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand." -Daniel 12:10 NIV
For some of us, suffering is the rule rather than the exception. When we're right smack dab in the middle of a mess, it's hard to understand what's happening. It's hard to know why God is allowing something terrible and terrifying to happen to us. Scripture tells us that through our trials, we will become the people God wants us to be, but in the mean time, we must overcome. Just as we can't participate in a marathon without training, we can't be great warriors in God's kingdom without learning to do battle. Just as gold must be refined to be really beautiful, so we must be refined to truly have character.
Romans 4:3-5 says, "... we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us."
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Rejoice in your sufferings? Yep! When Satan deals you a gut-punch, rejoice! Praise God! Thank Him that He considers you valuable enough to change you. Praise Him that He is concerned enough with you and your life to want to perfect you for His service. Rejoice in the bad things that happen to you, knowing that each of these things serves its purpose in making you into a better reflection of Jesus. Then ask for wisdom so you can see just what God wants you to learn through each and every trial. Remember, the wicked will never understand. But you, because your wisdom comes from God, can understand and then praise His Name for that understanding and the hope that lies in our Lord Jesus.
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