Trials

Looking at past trials in my life, I have found them to be a fascinating study of my selfishness.

When an unfortunate event disturbs me, I have noticed that my mindset in this event is the key to the emotional implications of this trial in my life. When I have looked at the trial as a “God thing,” my response was usually “Wow God! Thank you for trusting me with this new adventure. Help me be obedient and bring You glory through this.” The emotional implications have been positive. When I look at the trial as a “my bad” thing, the emotional implications are personally negative. When I look at the trial as an “others bad” thing, the emotional implications are much longer-lasting and corrosively negative to myself and others.

If I could just go directly to “thank You God,” “count it all joy,” and “rejoice always” (Ephesians 5:20, James 1:2, Romans 5:3 NLV), wouldn’t more of the emotional implications be positive? So why wouldn’t I do this? Hmm… It seems that I am thinking more about myself than God. Lord, help me look expectantly to You in this testing, and take joy in the trials.

I love You God. I trust You God. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Thank You God.

—Robin