Trials will come because we live in a world that’s broken. Though
they are painful to go through, trials lived biblically will bring you closer
to GOD.
Here’s how T-R-I-A-L-S work for your good.
T – Thank GOD (1 Thessalonians 5:18). It is the will of GOD that His children give thanks at
all times. Saying thanks in the midst of a trial is to own the fact that GOD is
good and His promises are true. You are not thanking GOD for the pain and distress but because He does and will work everything
out for your good. Your thanksgiving says that you agree that GOD is Sovereign over
all things in your life and you trust His plan for you (Psalm 28:7; Proverbs 3:19).
R – Rest in GOD (Psalm 23; 62). David wrote Psalm 62 during one of the worst times of his life. He
had been criticized, lied on and betrayed by people he trusted. Yet David was
able to say, “I am at rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from Him” (verse
1). David put his hope in GOD not man. He allowed GOD to be his place of rest
and his strength while he waited for divine rescue. GOD gave His own SON to rescue
you from eternity in hell. Rest in knowing that His will is to keep you safe
for eternity (Romans 8:32-39; Matthew 11:28).
I – Imitate CHRIST in your suffering (Philippians 2:5-8). CHRIST gave up His right to His throne in heaven
to become a man who suffered and died to save the world. He never complained about
what He left behind, or the shame He endured, or dying on the cross. He did it
all with quiet dignity and obedience to the Father. You represent CHRIST in the
world. Let the world see CHRIST in you when you endure trials without complaint
(James 1:2-4).
A – Ask for wisdom (James 1:5). In trials GOD should be your first resort. But too often we seek
wisdom in other places first and turn to GOD only when everything else fails. GOD’s
WORD says you should ask Him for wisdom. “Ask” here means request, plead for, call
for, and even demand. The word context says this is urgent. GOD promises to honor
your “ask” by giving as much wisdom as you need, and with grace. GOD wants you
to come to Him first with your most urgent needs.
L – Love and pray for those who are mistreating you. (Matthew 5:44) One Bible commentary
calls this type of love the “love of benevolence.” GOD does not ask that you
agree with behavior that is the cause of your suffering. You can hate a
person’s conduct yet still wish them well. That person may need your kindness
more than your anger and disgust. Speak kindly of them to others and to them.
GOD tells us never to pay back “evil for
evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you
were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9.
S – Speak only TRUTH and LIFE (Ephesians 6:14-17). Know that Satan is the
real enemy and his attacks are worse when we are at our lowest. Satan tempted JESUS
when He was weak and hungry, right after His 40-day fast. But JESUS used GOD’s WORD
against every attack and the devil had to give up and leave Him. Scripture defines
the WORD as the sword of the Spirit. It
is a weapon that never fails. Read it daily to keep out the negative thoughts Satan
will plant in your mind to make you doubt GOD’s TRUTH and His promises. The
WORD brings to life in our hearts situations that may appear dead to others –
it gives us hope.
In his kindness God
called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you
have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and
he will place you on a firm foundation. 1
Peter 5:10
Trials are tough to go through but invite GOD into them with
you and He will never let your trials crush you. Instead, your trials will show
you GOD’s love in a whole new way. You will know the length and width, height
and depth of it (Ephesians 3:18-19). Our trials give us a glimpse into what the future
eternal Kingdom with the Father and SON will be like.
When you walk through a trial with GOD at every step, then you
can say – “I had heard rumors about YOU, but
now my eyes have seen YOU.” Job 42:5
Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, we give honor and praise
to YOU and we thank YOU for teaching us to rejoice in our trials and for
YOUR WORD that helps us through our trials to produce all the fruit of the
Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control. Thank YOU for pouring on YOUR indescribable love while
we are in our trials to give us a glimpse of the glory that is our eternal future.
Help us to rest with confidence in that love that endures forever and will never
fail. To YOU belong all dominion and all power and all
glory for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the precious Name of
Jesus Christ our LORD. Amen!
Always by God’s Word and prayer,
Cecile
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