Perseverance in trials

These past few weeks I have witnessed many friends and family members going through tremendous trials in their lives:  father-of-the-bride too sick with leukemia and pneumonia to walk his daughter down the aisle; the heartbreak of losing a beloved infant granddaughter; the agony of miscarriage; the anxiety that comes with having a very sick child and the endless ER and specialist appointments with still no answer;  waiting ever so patiently for months and months for a job that has been promised but still not given. . .  I cannot go into further details because these stories are not mine to share.  However, the emotional, physical, and mental roller-coasters present in each of these situations are more than I can begin to imagine.  

I have tried to be a loving, supportive friend to each and every person going through these hardships.  I have been praying hard for each one and their respective circumstances and offering help when needed.  When appropriate, I've also tried to offer encouragement about how God is still in control and watching out for them.  That he loves them and is not far away.  They may never understand his ways or his purposes, but they can trust that his plans are only for their good (Jeremiah 29:11).  In focusing on how I could best help them, it never dawned on me until yesterday that through their experiences they were also teaching me valuable lessons about grace, perseverance, and resounding faith when facing trials. 

To be honest, one of the most difficult spiritual disciplines for me to master is facing trials and tribulations with grace and perseverance.  Although I'm working on it, by nature I will have to admit I'm a complainer.  I've gotten a little better about not complaining and venting to friends, but my poor, dear husband probably has his ears full!  Witnessing my friends and family go through difficult times without complaint; with smiles on their faces; counting their blessings instead of their losses; and with some of their eyes fixed completely on God, has really convicted me.  It has made me aware of all the small little everyday things that I usually complain about.  Sometimes I let these little things loom so big that they start seeming like a huge trial when in actuality they are not.   I want to believe that when/ if I experience an actual BIG trial, I will face it with grace, perseverance, and faith.  But if everyday circumstances can get me into an uproar, then I have lots more work to do!  And perhaps that's what these little everyday 'tests' are for --  to help build up my character.    

That is what James means when he wrote; "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)."  This statement echos the Apostle Paul who said, "We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us, (Romans 5:2-5)."  These verses do not say that as followers of Christ we are free from suffering and trial.  They do not mean that we have to be happy about all the hardships we face.  What they do mean is that when faced with trial, we can rejoice that the Holy Spirit can help us overcome it.  He can give us the strength that we lack to persevere.  He will lift us up and encourage us and comfort us.  God's promise is that if we let him, he will use the negative circumstances in our lives to shape us and build up our character so that we can become more mature and strong.  What is most comforting is that we can trust that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28)."  This means that God can use the bad and turn it to good;  it means he will always help us to find the 'silver lining' if we let him.   

Dear Lord, my heart still goes out to those family and friends who are dealing with tremendous circumstances and difficulties, but I thank them for teaching me some valuable lessons today about perseverance in the face of trials.  You know who they are, Lord.  Please continue to lift them up and give them peace, comfort, and healing.  And if it is your will, Lord, then let the negative circumstances be used for your glory; let them draw closer to you and let their testimonies be powerful ones that will help others to know of the hope that only you can give.  Amen.