Being Grateful Through Trials ~

    “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,” James 1:2

     From our human perspective it makes sense to never want to go through trials or hard times, and it is more than justified if we grumble or express anger throughout every trial. However, James says differently; he says we are to consider it a joyous thing when we fall into trials. And, he is not the only one.

    Paul and Silas sang hymns while sitting shackled in a prison. And, Peter and the apostles who were beaten in Acts 5:41 “departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” The disciples and apostles went through trials and persecution praising God and found it to be an honor and privilege to suffer. Why? Because they knew that the suffering they’d experience was nothing compared to what our Savior, Jesus, endured on the cross, being murdered for the atonement of our sins.

     They also realized the eternal value of suffering with a God-glorifying heart. Rejoicing through persecutions and trials matured them, exponentially growing their faith in and dependency on the Lord. Their lives served as a testimony of the Good News of the Gospel. Consider, Stephen who asked God to forgive his murderers as they hurled stones at him. Or, Telemachus whose murder in the amphitheater had such an impact on the emperor that he decreed gladiator games banned forever. How many more martyrs, missionaries, pastors, and believers endure such suffering. Society mocks them, friends abandon them, they are harmed both physically and verbally, yet they know that in enduring such things they are glorifying God and setting an example for generations to come.

     Whatever comes our way, sickness, death, betrayal, hate, etc. I pray we can learn like Job to bless the name of the Lord and submit to God’s will even when it’s hard. When we are eternally minded, we know suffering down here greatly enriches our future life there. May we like our Lord, know that the temporal suffering here is not worthy to be compared to the joy set before us. (Romans 8:18)

God bless you! <3

Tera