Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. -James 1:12
When you experience hardship, trials, and trauma at a young age, you tend to get apprehensive about enduring trials once you're older. For me, because I've experienced so much loss and trauma at a young age, in my older age I didn't want to go through any more trials. I knew trials would come, but I didn't want to endure them, I wanted to avoid them altogether. I was tired of going through situations. I used to ask God 'why' in the midst of every trial that I faced in my young adulthood. In His patience and lovingkindness, God would point me to the scriptures. Though I read them, my heart wasn't immediately transformed. However, as my relationship with Him grew, I began to see it from His perspective. It still took time for my mindset about trials to shift, but eventually it did, and if I'm honest now, my mind is still being renewed with every trial I face.
We've all read the scriptures and heard the sermons and teaching on how trials produce endurance and faith in the believer. Knowing is different from actually experiencing these scriptures. First, what has to happen is we establish a loving relationship with Jesus Christ. Beloved, if we don't know Him, we can't trust that His grace is sufficient. Doesn't trust take time in our human relationships? I'm not referring to knowing who He is, but knowing Him intimately. Second, the posture of our hearts as we go through the trials has to shift from not wanting to go through, to seeing the benefits on the other side. The scripture above calls one blessed who perseveres through trials. Other scriptures also encourage that crushing of trials produces oil from our lives. What is the oil? It's the anointing of God.
Beloved, I don't know what you're facing today, but understand that God doesn't waste pain. He uses it to refine and develop us. He will always hold us steady. The oil that is produced in your life will be used to bless others by ministering to those who are in need. Our private pain can become a public source of power for others. Though we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair. You have not loss! The oil is being produced in your life. Square your shoulders, Beloved!
Prayer
Father, give us the strength to persevere with hope and courage under our problems and challenges. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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