Trials come in various categories. They may be physical, emotional, financial, relational, or spiritual. They may slip in unexpectedly and knock on the door of your business, your church, or your home. They can be directly related to our own sin, the sin of others, or not related to sin at all.
James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have it's perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
Most often, because of the discomfort, the pain, or the hardship, we try to cut our trial short - to put an end to them. Instead, James says, endure the trial; let it come to completion. When it does, you'll be a better person for it.
Remember, God is fully aware of the trials in your life and two things should comfort you: First, these squalls surge across everyone's horizon. Second, we all need them. God has no other method more effective. Even the little, constant irritations humble us and compel us to submit to Him and His chosen role for our lives.
God doesn't dispense strength and encouragement like a druggists fills a prescription. The Lord doesn't promise to give us something to take so we can handle our weary moments. He promises us Himself....and that is enough.
Jesus is the central piece of suffering's puzzle. If we fit Him into place, the rest of the puzzle - no matter how complex - begins to make sense. Our whole perspective changes when we catch a glimpse of the purpose of Christ in it all. Take that away, and it's nothing more than a bitter, terrible experience.
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