Is There Purpose in Trials?
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Life is full of trials that we wish we could avoid, and the Lord tells us that he will work all things for good, for those who love him and live according to his will. Do you think this could change our outlook on the trials we go through? Scripture doesn’t say that all things are good. What Jesus experienced on the cross was painful, both physically and emotionally, because he experienced the wrath of God for our sins, but Jesus accomplished the greatest good ever known: He offered salvation for all mankind. And three days after his death, he arose, and forty days later he ascended into Heaven where all authority in Heaven and on earth was given to him by the Father. Likewise we are blessed when we trust the Lord to lead us through trials.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. (James 1:2) James was considering trials pure joy, because through trials we identify with Jesus and we become like him. The greatest reward for a Christian is to become more Christ-like, to be molded to the mind and heart of Jesus. This brings us closer to the Lord, and there is nothing in this life that is more rewarding than being close to the Lord. The more we endure trials and tribulations, the closer we can be to the Lord, if we depend on him to carry us through life to our Heavenly home. We cannot imagine how great it will be when we are in the presence of God in our heavenly home.
In our present lives, how close can we be to the Lord? The answer is as close as we desire. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. (Psalm 145:18) The more we call on the Lord, the more we seek his guidance and wisdom, the more we reflect his love to the world, the more we read and meditate on the Word, the more we pray and commune with the Lord, and the more we fellowship with our Christian brothers and sisters, the closer we will be to the Lord as we become like Jesus through the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:8) We will know and feel the presence of God and his love, peace, joy, and rest for our souls, as his love flows through us to others. We are created in the image of God and the most fulfilling thing in life is to be in the presence of God. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2) We will feel emotionally, mentally, and physically as Christ, perfect in every way. In this life we cannot experience Christ to the infinite, because we live in our sinful flesh. However the more we crucify the flesh and live in the Spirit, the more we will experience the presence of Christ filling our souls.
Today take everything to the Lord in prayer, and let the Lord use every trial and every event to mold you to be more like Christ. Seek to be more Christ-like and see every trial as an opportunity to spiritually grow and to see the Lord work in your life.
Let’s Pray: Lord, fill me with the desire to spiritually grow and to be more Christ-like. Help me to reflect Christ to everyone, with your wisdom, love, and confidence. Thank you for using everything in my life to make me more Christ-like and to spiritually grow. In Jesus name, Amen