God has been leading me through some trials recently. These trials are the kind where it deeply affects you and the tasks you do. Many hours are devoted, whether consciously or not, to thinking about what's going on in the trials one is facing. A person finds themselves caught up in thinking about whatever the trial may be while trying to do other things, and the concentration this person needs escapes them. It can be very difficult to find joy in the trials and suffering we face as Christians. Yet we are still called to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Phillipians 4:4). I think there's great value in calmly exploring various reasons why God might be bringing us through trials and suffering if it will lead us closer to Him, and help us grow in our understanding of who He is.
I began thinking more broadly about the many trials God’s people have faced over the years. I thought about the purpose of suffering and trials a little more. Why do we experience such unpleasant events and time periods in our lives? God’s word says He's doing it to refine us and conform us to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). This is a good answer, but what if we dig a little deeper and think a little more analytically? We come across verses like 1 Corinthians 10:13, where it talks about God being faithful to not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle. This verse points to His sovereignty.
Working out our faith with fear and trembling isn't comfortable. I believe the “fear and trembling” in this verse is referring to reverence and deep respect. We are, after all, serving the God of the universe, who is constant and unchanging. He cannot be caught off guard. Years ago, I was exposed to the saying, “A Christian needs to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.” It might seem strange, but God doesn't call us to. nor guarantee us, a life of comfort. If we're constantly growing in Him, wouldn’t it make sense that we would often experience “growing pains”?
In the midst of these growing pains, why not humbly explore the possibilities for why God is leading us through difficult times? As I began to do this, I came to this realization: Maybe God put me in the circumstances I am in to show me His infinite goodness. God is infinitely better than anything this life can offer me, so it wouldn't surprise me if God would remove some of the things in my life that might distract me from seeing this truth. God wants to give Himself to me, and the gift of Himself is the best thing I could ever receive. I believe sometimes God needs to take away something, or several things, in our lives to show us how good He is in comparison to those things. James 1:17 says every good and perfect gift comes from God. If the ultimate source of your gift isn't God, it's not a good and perfect gift at all.
If, while we are in the midst of suffering, trials and pain, we humbly ask God why we're in the situation we're in, I believe we will grow closer in our relationship with Him. I'm convinced God always answers prayers, even though it might not be the way we wanted, or at the exact moment we ask for the answer. In His work of refining us, He has shown Himself to be faithful. It might not be comfortable to go through refining and growing pains, but God doesn't guarantee this life will be comfortable. We should be thankful for the times we can enjoy the comfort God gives us, and not complain when we're faced with discomfort. That discomfort might just be pointing back to how infinitely good God is to us, because in the end, we will receive the greatest gift of all: Himself.
