5-28-22Trials to Treasures

Trials to Treasures :: By Holly Spate Published on: February 10, 2022 by RRadmin7 Category:General Articles, Holly Spate Life involves trials. Some are small, some are large, but all trials can create challenges…all can add to or chisel away the good parts of our character depending on how we face them…how we choose to deal with them. Trials can make us stronger and teach us, or they can make us bitter and weaken us. Trials are tests we pass or fail. Our lives, our perspectives, our attitudes are affected by them in various ways, and no one is immune. Trials can become our testimonies, and as Christians, those testimonies could very well become our eternal treasures. Contemplate awhile on this beautiful concept: Tests +Trials = Testimonies + Treasures Now, let’s focus on this verse in Romans 8:28, which reminds us of how great God is toward His children: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” There are many verses in the Bible that are given to both strengthen and encourage God’s children as we face struggles and are tested by trials. And we all will face trials. Everyone has trials; everyone is tested in this life. Everyone endures hardship in some form. Everyone experiences stress throughout this life. Even those in society who seem (by the world’s standards) to have it all – every success, all the riches of the world – even they are tested. They, too, endure hardship. No one in all of history past or anyone living today or born tomorrow escapes testing and trials. We’re not promised a cushy life here and now…a life of perfection without pain. Jesus himself said we will have trials in this fallen world, but thankfully He promises that He will be with us…guiding us, providing for us, encouraging and helping us through it all. We are promised (all who cry out to Jesus…to all who believe in Him and ask Him to be Lord and Savior of their hearts and lives) that we will one day experience a place of perfection for all eternity. A place with no more trials, tests, temptations, heartache, injustice or pain. For now, however, we live in a sinful and fallen world which is why we need to lean into our Savior, cling tight and praise Him in all circumstances, knowing that He is always working everything together for our good and His glory. Remember: God is always working together for YOUR good! Peter made it clear to not be surprised by our sufferings. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:12-13). Tests and trials are part of life… everyone’s life. As a believer, tests and trials can be some of our greatest gifts from God. Most aren’t pleasant at the time (I know; I’m going through one right now). Most people don’t cheer and throw a party when they arrive. They generally aren’t welcome and are usually uncomfortable to go through. They can feel like a weight bearing down heavy on one’s heart, one’s mind and one’s soul. They can really throw one for a loop, shake things up and turn things upside down. Yet, in the midst of it all, believers are to never forget this truth found in Romans 8:18, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Now, that’s good news. Trials and tests may take us through valleys dark, but are necessary to lead us to something better…a mountaintop view…a new perspective…to better our character, etc. God can use them to help us learn, help us grow and bring us closer to Him. Someone wisely said, “God is more concerned about our character than our comfort.” He wants us comforted, but that doesn’t mean we’ll always be comfortable. He wants us to trust Him in all things, every hour of every day. He is interested in drawing us to Himself so we can have a deeper relationship. Trials have a way of growing our faith, increasing our trust and strengthening our character. They refine us where we need refining and bring us closer to God. They can mature us and better us. They can become our testimonies and, with God at the helm intervening, our testimonies can become treasures that will stand the test of time for all eternity. These are all good things. The following verses should encourage you as you view your trials through God’s perspective: “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). “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Peter 5:10). “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:12). “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:1-5). “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer” (Romans 12:12). Whether you find yourself today in the dark valley going through trials or basking in the sunshine on the mountaintop, you are called to always remember God’s goodness and to thank Him in all circumstances. A heart conditioned to be thankful in all circumstances is a heart that can rest in God’s peace, joy and light during the darkest of days, the most trying of trials, and the best of times. Philippians 4:7 reminds of this truth: “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” As sons and daughters of our heavenly Father, we should be comforted and encouraged as we remember the forever truth of Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” We should feel joy when we think of Psalm 103:1-6: “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.” No matter what you are going through right now, no matter what you may go through in the future, never forget that the very One who created you…the One who knows the number of hairs on your head, who calls you by name, promises to always be there providing strength, giving hope, holding your hand, and never leaving or forsaking you, has a purpose for your trials and a plan in your pain. Rejoice in knowing that God works all things together for your good and has your life in His trustworthy hands. Never forget…your trials and tests today can become testimonies that bring treasures for all eternity. And that is something to be happy about. Have a blessed week! spate.holly@gmail.com