When We Change Our Perceptive About Trials

I am involved in a women's Bible study going through Kay Smith's book Reflecting God. First I must say, What an amazing book! The way Kay explains things and the examples that she gives are right up my ally of comprehension. I REALLY recommend this book! 

We just got finished with the chapter "She Is Joyful in Trials" and there are a few things the Lord has been teaching me about Trials...

Our attitude toward life, and through trials has EVERYTHING to do with our spiritual growth.

We are either saying, "Yes Lord, work something in me and through me."

Or

"No Lord, poor me! Why is this happening to me?!?"

 Although Satan uses trials to try to break us down and destroy us,

God uses them to show us how faithful and real He is!

 It is sometimes easier to walk through trials when we remember the purpose of them:

To bring God glory

Not to make us fall, but make us soar like eagles

Not to defeat us, but that we might defeat them

Not to make us weaker, but to make us stronger

To remove impurities that weaken us and make us unusable

To produce maturity in us

Don't you want these things in your life?

Then why aren't you rejoicing that you are facing trials?!?

We go through the physical pain of working out to get better results (weight loss, stronger, endurance). Why are we so reluctant to do this spiritually?

 James 1:3 reads, "Know that the testing of your faith produces patience."


Patience = to stay, to abide, to be steadfast, or to stand fast


A strange fact about me: I LOVE TREES! Here is a pretty cool tree analogy: When a tree is faced with really strong winds, it causes it to grow deeper roots. Trials can be the same in our lives. They cause us to root deeper in out relationship with God, in our prayer life, in the Bible!

 "A trail is simply an istrument to accomplish God's purpose for you. At the conclusion of a trial, you will have either moved forward, spiritually speaking, or you will have moved backward. If you moved backward -- if you resist the changes God wants to work in you through the trial -- then you will likely have to go through a similar trial down the road. God will keep working in you until you learn what He wants you to learn."

 God produces maturity in us through trials. Have you noticed the people who haven't faced many trials tend to be like a child who demands attention. However those who have had to abide under some serious pressure have matured and are now able to go through life without buckling under the strain.


Maturity = to bring to the end or finish

The pyramid's in Egypt... even though they weren't really around when Joseph was there :)

My girls and I have been studying Joseph these past few weeks. Read over his story in Genesis. 

See how his life brought one "unfair" trial after another?

Yet God put him thorough those things for many reasons!

Some of which were:

(1) Pharaoh and all of Egypt to know He is God

(2) Prepare Joseph for the next thing he faced

(3) Provide for Joseph's family in the famine

(4) To eventually move the Israelites into Egypt

(5) To exemplify God's faithfulness to us today!

Some Questions to Ask Yourself

So what are you facing friend?

Is your attitude one of "Yes Lord, work in me!" or "Why me Lord? Why this?!?"?

Do you want to grow in your relationship with God?

Do you want to see His faithfulness and make it more real to you?

So then why are you still complaining about your trial?!?

**Ask God to give you something to hold onto while you walk through this trial**

God, give me a verse, or a nugget of wisdom that I can cling to through this trial! I want to know You more. I want to be more like You. I am willing to do whatever it takes to know You more, even if it means facing this trial head on! Please work Your patience and maturity in me. I  love you.

Blessed is the man who endures temptation [or trials], for when he has been approved, he will receive a the [victor's] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.  

James 1:12

But let patience have it's perfect work, that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. 

James 1:4 

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy! 

1 Peter 4:12-13

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  

1 Peter 1:6-7 

Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. 

Psalm 30:5