“We sent Timothy…to strengthen and
encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.
For you know quite well that we are destined for them.” (1 Thessalonians 3:2-3)
“In all this you greatly rejoice,
though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of
trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater
worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in
praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:6-7)
The sad thing is that my “trials”
and the “trials” of many Christian Americans today are nowhere near as
troubling as what the early Christians had to go through. Currently, we have it
easy in comparison, although, I’m afraid a time will soon come when we too will
suffer persecution for our faith. Regardless, there is no reason to grumble and
complain about any circumstances. Paul and Silas sang praises when they were
chained up in prison, Jesus slept through a storm at sea, Esther stood up to
her fears, and there are so many other examples of how God’s people have
overcome their situations and fully relied on faith in God. So, instead of
focusing on your current surroundings, focus on finding God in the midst of it
all. Some people find peace in the beauty of nature, some through hymns, and all
of us should find it through the promises of God’s Word; just allow God into
your mind and heart and let Him fill you with His joy. Even when I find myself
surrounded by noise and people, I still pray silently for His strength and
peace.
“My brethren, count it all joy when
ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith
worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be
perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1”2-4)
Remember that God works through
your trials to help you learn and grow. Don’t focus on circumstances, look
instead at what God is doing with your life and how you can use what you have
learned to help others.
