Jesus is always with us no matter what we are going though. He gave us His Holy Spirit to guide us and strengthen us in every situation. However, Jesus never promised us that our life will be free of suffering. In fact, he told us that “here on earth we will have many trials and sorrows” and encouraged us “to take heart, because He has overcome the world” (John 16:33). Because Jesus has overcome the world, we are overcomers too. For we are told that “in this world we are just like Him” (1 John 4:17).
God never asked us to rely on our power, but on His strength. We know that “His grace is sufficient for us, for His power is made perfect in our weaknesses” (2 Corinthians 12:9), and that “we can do all things through Christ who strengthen us” (Philippians 4:13).
Sometimes, we might have a hard time distinguishing Jesus’ voice when we face challenges and are overwhelmed by disappointment and suffering. Other times, we might even doubt that we hear His voice when Jesus shows us something about ourselves that we don’t like. But deep inside us, we know that is HIM. Because we know His voice and we are His. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).
I believe that our inner fight makes it difficult to accept what Jesus shows us because it is painful. When we are mistreated and hurt, Jesus still asks us to forgive those who hurt us. He also shows us our faults and shortcomings. Our struggle is to let go to what happened to us and move on. However with His help we can do it, knowing that we can trust God completely with our future.
Sometimes, suffering is a consequence of our choices, attitudes and behaviors. Other times, suffering is not caused by us or others (such as the death of a loved one, sickness and other traumatic events).
There is no joy in the suffering, at least not in the first stage. But as the time goes by, God reveals things to us about Himself and ourselves. The darkness is not so dark anymore. God’s light permeates through and highlights thoughts and attitudes in our hearts that are not pleasant. It comes a time when we stop blaming anyone else around us, and take responsibilities for our own thoughts and actions. God makes everything right in His time. Sometimes we pray for deliverance, but we are the stumbling block and we can’t see it. As soon as we surrender and listen to what Jesus shows us, our hearts begin to change.
Joy is usually experienced after the trial has passed. The maturing of our faith happens in the trail. Unnecessary things, thoughts and attitudes get burned along the way. We are free to enjoy His presence without unnecessary baggage. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).
There are so many wisdom gifts imparted in the trial. These are like precious pearls to treasure for the rest of our lives and share with others in need. Because the testing and strengthening of our faith was not done for us alone. It was done also to help others who go through similar circumstances. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Jesus guides us even when our faith is weak in the trial. We get glimpses of Him helping and comforting us. Let us open our hearts wide because Jesus is worthy to be trusted. Although it may seem that He is late, Jesus is never late. His time is perfect. He will accomplishes His work in us, and nothing will get wasted.
For all of you who are going through a trial right now, remember that your suffering is temporary and it is a test of your faith: “…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).
#faith #trials #suffering #spirituality
