Three Truths for the Trials and Tribulations of Life
The spring beauties are pushing white petals through the beige of last autumn’s fallen canopy, and I wonder if they’re some sort of sign. Would God really speak through the petals of a dime-sized white flower? In some quiet way, I wonder if he sent these little miracles to remind me that even amid the trials and tribulations of life, hope is still rising.
Spring is still rising, even amid late March’s tormenting white flurries.
Life is still rising, even when everything around you starts to feel like the worst kind of death.
I read Peter’s words as I sit down amid the tiny flowers:
“do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you. . .” (1 Peter 4:12).
The words catch me off guard, a little like the white flowers on tawny earth: Why am I always surprised when suffering comes?
Why do we expect our Christian lives to be free from trials and difficult times?
We all face trials in life. Ordeals drag on. Circumstances fall to pieces, and it feels like no one’s there to put them back together again.
The Trials and Tribulations of Life
Clichés about how God is weaving spring beauties from your pain might sound nice, but when you’re honest, it’s just not enough for the hardest days.
It’s not enough for me as I sit on the fallen maple stump and pray for a reprieve.
And that’s when I know I need to comb through these tattered pages and find more words of hope to carry me through this long stretch. And this is what I find:
1. When the trials and tribulations of life won’t relent, the glory of God rests on you.
First Peter 4:14 reads: “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”
Have the fiery trials burned you to ashes? Have the trials and tribulations of life worn you thin?
Take heart. Beauty rises from ashes. And where God creates beauty, his glory is made known.
Have the fiery trials burned you to ashes? Take heart. Beauty rises from ashes. And where God creates beauty, his glory is made known. #fierytrials #GodsGlory Click To Tweet
2. These fiery trials are about God’s glory, not your comfort.
This trial holds the power to magnify the goodness of God through you. Keep going. Keep your heart soft. Fight offense. Your story isn’t finished yet. (For more inspiration to keep going, join me here.)
When you’re in the thick of the trial, you share in fellowship with Christ.
First Peter 4:13 offers this reminder: “But to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”
Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that “we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet he did not sin” (NIV). We don’t need to understand this for it to be true. Jesus understands every struggle, weakness, and temptation we will ever face.
He gets it. We can allow the trials and tribulations of life to harden our hearts, or we can use them as prompts to draw near to the One who really does understand.
3. Take heart because you have a reward awaiting you in heaven.
Revelation 22:12 reminds us, “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”
And so, if you’ve had as much as you can take, don’t give up just yet. Your reward awaits on the other side of this life. Keep hoping in what is still unseen, and keep watching for the spring beauties to rise through dead earth. This story isn’t finished just yet.
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Calling all mothers and daughters!
Additionally, my 12-year-old daughter, Bekah, and I wrote a mother-daughter devotional book to help mothers and daughters grow closer together while connecting with God. Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith includes 60 devotions with Scripture, commentaries from both of us, conversation starters, and even a shared journaling section. Multitudes of mothers, daughters, mentors, and younger women are being transformed by this book! You can find your free Kindle Unlimited eBook or buy it in print for just 11.99 right here.
