On Trial

Heartbreaking events are never non-existent, are they? Despite the abundant blessings and joys we experience, there are others we know walking difficult paths. Or maybe we ourselves are walking in the midst of difficulty. The other day, as I learned of a family friend's devastating loss, tears came to my eyes as I wondered, "Why?" And as I consider the battles others are facing - newborns struggling for life in the NICU, a son turning from the family and living in rebellion, an intense battle with cancer, the fearful reality of discovering cancer cells at a young age - my heart can't help but wonder what the Lord is up to. Trials are everywhere.

It's easy for me to read verses in Scripture that use the word "trial" and immediately think mostly of persecution for being a believer. Perhaps because that was something the early church faced much more regularly than we do here in America. Maybe it's because throughout the world, Christians are killed because of their faith in Jesus Christ. But the other morning as my heart ached over the pain experienced by another and I found myself reading the first chapter of James, I realized how broad the word "trial" is in Scripture. James writes to the believers:

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials . . ." (James 1:2) 

Uffda. All joy. In various trials. James knew those he was writing to were experiencing a vast array of trials, of difficulties, of heartaches. The same is experienced by us today. But how do we consider those heartaches and trials as joy? How can we rejoice in the midst of persecution, of heartbreaking losses, of excruciating struggles? To be honest, I struggled with this exhortation for a couple of days . . . and I by no means claim to understand it now.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a blog regarding Israel's captivity in Babylon and the Lord's promises to be faithful to them during those 70 years. What the Israelite people experienced was not fun - I'd definitely label it as a "trial" - but the Lord had a plan and a purpose for it. He wanted to draw His people back to Himself; He wanted glory to be given to His great name (see Jeremiah 29:1-14, especially vs. 10-14). I'd venture to say that He wants the same for us in the trials we face. Though we don't understand why, though the pain is intense and the trial difficult, though it seems never-ending and without purpose, the Lord is in control. He's got a reason for what He's doing. Sometimes the biggest struggle for us is to simply let Him work, letting the Lord use our pain for the glorification of His great name.

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4)  

"In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in the praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:6-9,emphasis mine)

Although it won't come naturally, it is my prayer that whatever trial you are facing, you will find joy in the Lord. Rest in His strong arms, knowing that He isn't far from you. Let Him use your struggles to bring glory to His great name. May your testimony in Him during this time bring others to saving faith in Jesus Christ.