Treasure in Trials

“God, why?”

Have you ever asked God this about a situation in your life that really hurts? I know I have.

The natural human inclination is to avoid trials and evade any type of suffering.

No one enjoys suffering.

Yet, there are times when God allows pain, sometimes long seasons of pain, or hurt, in the lives of His children.

We all want the easy life, but sometimes we experience hurt in relationships, jobs, financial crises, and emotional brokenness. But why?

In His Word, God says something counterintuitive to our own thinking about approaching trials:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.

James 1:2 ESV

Wait, huh?

God calls us to something beyond running away from all discomfort. He even calls us to do something greater than going through our trials with an optimistic mindset.

God says that we should view our disappointments, broken relationships, missed opportunities, grief, and all the other hurts we experience as opportunities for joy. To “count it all joy” literally means to see your trials as opportunities for sincere joy. The trial itself is not the reason for joy, but God’s purpose for the trial is.

for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing

James 1:3-4 ESV

Instead of an exasperated “God, why?” go deeper. There is a reason for your trial. Ask God, even through tears and uncertainty, “Father, what are You trying to do in me?”.

Seen as God’s tool for perfecting and completing your spiritual maturity, even the deepest hurts in your life can be reasons for joy. God often uses these seasons to turn our dependence away from others and deepen our trust in Him.

You are stable. You have peace of mind.

Trust God. Seek Him. Be Affirmed in Christ.