“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12
Responding to Trials
A friend made a statement in a recent letter that caught my attention: “The circumstances don’t alter the calling.” I’ve meditated on that in relation to the circumstances of our long journey. It’s been quite a roller coaster ride—so many ups and downs, so many challenging circumstances.
How we respond to trials and tests (the circumstances) in our lives is more important than the test itself. The responses in our heart have eternal value. They “stick” with us.
Amy Carmichael has said, “The eternal essence of a thing is not in the thing itself but in one’s reaction to it. The distressing situation will pass, but one’s reaction toward it will leave a moral and spiritual deposit in his character that is eternal.”
We’ll always have hard times. Trials are part of life. Tests come when we least expect them. And most of us face suffering at some point in our lives. We can’t escape these things here on earth. The key is how we respond to them. Do we set our heart towards trust in God? Do we choose not to become angry or bitter? Do we cling to His hand in faith as we walk the difficult path? Do we persevere no matter what? These responses are the real test!
I’ve wanted to respond the right way to the sufferings we’ve been walking through, but I’m keenly aware I can’t do it in my own strength. I’ve had to call upon His grace, His help, His strength. He has been faithful to come alongside and help me walk through our circumstances, helping me respond with eternity in mind.
I’ve listened to a song by Shane & Shane: “Though You Slay Me.” There’s a powerful passage in the middle of the song from John Piper. He talks about our trials and suffering being meaningful—that God is doing something through them that we don’t see or understand, that God uses these hard times to prepare us for “an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”
I don’t want the circumstances to alter my calling, and I want to respond in the right way to every trial that comes along. I’m trusting God to help me with this.
With every bump in the road, with every challenging circumstance—I want to hold tightly to His hand in trust. I want to persevere in our calling.
“Lord, use our trials for Your glory. Keep us moving forward in our calling, no matter what our circumstances are. Amen.”
If you would like to listen to “Though You Slay Me,” please click here.
That is one of my favorite songs. Such a powerful message. I’m praying for you and Floyd as you walk through this season.
Amen Sister!
The eternal promise James speaks of is an encouragement to me, having recently endured a divorce I did not agree to but was forced by California law to grant my spouse. My behavior through it was clearly God’s leading. I didnt want to be a good example of God in my reaction to situations in the divorce but God showed me to be humble. I now have the peace that I did the right thing with my responses. Praise God for the crown of glory someday.
I have taken on the affirmation “You can’t control the world, only how you respond to it”. God brings me this sense of peace and letting go of things out of my control.