That's a doozy right there, isn't it?
Consider our trials joy??? I don't like that. At all. I
can think of many horrors on that 'trials' list that no one in his or
her right mind would find very joyous. I think that if we're being
honest, we have to admit that this is an uncomfortable verse for us.
In fact, the only way I'm able to write about this right now is
because I'm not currently facing a hard trial.
But I have before and I can say that I
do understand what this verse says about the testing of faith
producing endurance. Smaller trials prepare us for the larger ones,
but also, the more we exercise our faith, the more natural it becomes
to do so. And let's face it – it's not all that difficult to
exercise faith when everything is going our way. How often do you
hear well-meaning (but not suffering) people toss out phrases like,
“it was God's will” or “He doesn't give you more than you can
handle”? Sure, it might sound nice when you're on the other side of
pain and suffering, but in the throes of it? Sometimes there just
isn't a phrase or verse that will ease the hurt. Pain is heavy stuff.
The key is those verses point us to the
One who has promised comfort and rest to us, who gives us strength
and grace in our weaknesses, and in whom we can trust for the hope
and peace that we seek. That's what we have to be joyous about. He
never changes, but instead His promises stand no matter how much we
waver and struggle, no matter what we're up against.
There are no throwaway moments in life.
There is no waiting for the good part – because the present, no
matter how good or bad it may be, is still an important part of the
good.
“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” - Romans 5:3-5
He understands suffering because He did
so on our behalf. But what happened right after that trial of His? He
rejoiced. In fact, there was much rejoicing because He overcame it
and every other trial we would ever face. Though we may not feel like
rejoicing today, one day all we will know will be joy...and
love...and peace. That's the promise that keeps me
going, that keeps me from giving up.
“Beloved, do not be surprised at
the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as
though some strange thing were happening to you, but to the degree
that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that
also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”
- 1 Peter 4:12-13
