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"Trials + Perseverance = Maturity?"
by Karin Paparelli
"Consider it pure Joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of
many kinds..."do I need to continue? How many of you appreciate that
scripture? Oh I know it's great to quote that one when a friend is having
a hard time, but how about for yourself? Do you consider it pure joy when
you face trials of every kind? Can't say that I do, although that is my
goal. Why would God tell us to be joyful when going through the fire of
adversity? When faced with trials we have a choice, to get bitter or get
better. I'm sure you've heard that one before. Have you practiced it though?
It isn't easy. Everyday there are all kinds of hurdles to jump, and we
don't always make it over, sometimes we just crash. What do you do when
you crash? Do you curse the hurdle? Do you curse yourself? Do you curse
God? Honest now. How do you respond to life's disappointments? Sometimes
I'm real tough. I grit my teeth and bear it, but at other times, especially
when I've been hit over and over and over again, I begin to waver in my
resolve. I falter in my faith and I make the mistake of questioning the
Creator. I ask Him why me? Why now? Why not? You get the picture. Not
very joyful.
If we examine the verse more closely, James doesn't say to rejoice in
the trial itself, but rather to consider it joy when we face trials, knowing
that the testing of our faith develops perseverance, and perseverance
must finish its work so that we may become mature and complete, not lacking
anything. Ah, that makes more sense. God doesn't expect us to rejoice
in our suffering alone but to understand that the purpose of suffering
is to teach us greater perseverance which will help us to become mature
in the spirit. And who does not want to become mature in Christ? I suppose
in a weak moment we may cry, 'let me be a baby, I don't want to grow up
if it means facing any more trials!' But in reality no one who is in a
love relationship with Jesus wants to remain stagnant, on the contrary
we want to mature in Christ. That's the goal; maturing in Christ in order
to be used by the Lord. If it takes trials to prepare you for Christ-likeness,
accept them, embrace them, even rejoice in them.
Now not all trials are created equal, and certainly not all people receive
equal shares of trials. The Lord alone knows what to work out in you to
develop in you the image of His son. For each life He has a specific plan.
Very, very individualized. And no whining about fairness. We each have
been called to our very own purpose in Christ. Some will need more work
than others, some will have more responsibility than others and some are
more resistant to change than others. Keep your eyes fixed on that which
the Lord is doing in you, not your neighbor.
Some trials are mere inconveniences. Why just this week my automobile
landed in the shop. Now I could get angry and shake my fists at the inconvenience
or I could rejoice that it was still under warranty and a car rental was
even included . I could rejoice that no one was injured when the bloody
thing went berserk! I could also look for opportunities to share Christ
with the wonderful people I have met such as the mechanic, the rental
agent and so on. In the midst of this recent trial God was (and still
is) trustworthy and in control even when our transportation isn't!
In my opinion, an unreliable auto is little more than an irritating inconvenience.
There are much more serious trials we must endure. For years my father-in-law,
struggled with alcoholism. About a year ago he received Jesus as his savior
and not long there after he quit drinking. Hope was in sight that the
family relationships would finally improve after years of deterioration.
Then he discovered a mass in his lung and our suspicions were confirmed.
He had lung cancer. At first I was in shock and very angry. It just didn't
seem fair! I went to the Lord in prayer, I needed help sorting through.
I wanted to understand. He consoled me by reminding me of Dad's salvation.
And I was reassured that I would see him again someday. That is the hope
we have in Christ. I also realized that he could have died two years ago
or even ten, long before he knew Jesus. Once again I could see that God
is not unfair, on the contrary He is merciful.
It is all perspective! Do you seize the precious opportunities God sends
each day? Or do you become distracted and discouraged that things aren't
meeting your expectations? Just as the Lord will use trials in your life
to produce Christ-likeness in you, Satan will try to use those same trials
to distract you and provoke you to turn from God. Remember the trial itself
is not the choice. Jesus said in this life you will have tribulations,
how you respond is up to you.
May you walk in His grace. Thy kingdom come!
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