DAILY VITAMIN
- Maximizing Trials
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face Trials of many kinds," (James 1:2 NIV)
Both apostles James and Paul admonished us to take advantage of every trial. Just as we read in our theme verse, Paul reiterated the same to the Roman church. He said "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to be patient." (Romans 5:3 TLB). He said it is because this will help us learn to be patient. And patience grooms spiritual strength and mental endurance in us which will grow our hope and faith in God (v.4).
So, the thing the devil wanted to use to bring you down is what God uses to build us up. Little wonder why He lets us pass through some tribulations. Consider the case of David and Joseph. It is paramount for the building of character essential for what is to come. " for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete." (James 1:3-4 TLB).
Furthermore, Paul tells us how we can do this - that is, to maximize these trials and turn them into testimonies: By knowledge. he says knowing that we are in the place of highest privilege with God, we can be joyfully confident that we'd become all that God has in mind for us (Romans 5:2 TLB). So that, "Then, when that happens, we are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." (Romans 5:5 TLB).
Knowing that God's plans for you are always for good is the strength you need. It was Abraham's as well (see Romans 4:20-21) and Sarah's (see Hebrew 11:11), and they both turned their trial into an awesome testimony. You can do likewise today, but start by choosing to trust God unconditionally.
