8 Principles For Embracing Trials-Part 1

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials... James 1:2 (NKJV)

I was sitting in the back yard with my wife Carol last Saturday, taking a break from my preparation of a study on the Book of James. While we sat there, the wind began to gust with great force.  The established trees in our neighbors yard and the younger ones in ours began to bend and it looked as though they might not be able to endure.  But such was not the case, and they sprung right back up once the wind subsided.  

I immediately smiled knowing God had just given me an illustration with respect to the Christian walk - it is the testing of our faith as we are faced with the various trials in life.  

I thought about how the larger trees could stand because these same types of winds throughout their growth had strengthened their roots.  The winds are much like the trials we will face throughout life.  They will come and go - sometimes light and weak, and sometimes very strong and hard - but always needed!

As the wind comes against the treetops, it forces the roots to go deeper and to reach further out to receive the proper nutrients and to provide stability.  And so it is with the problems we face - they too, will cause us to go deeper into the water of the Word of God and to reach out in our faith with Him, and this in turn will bring about stability for us in those times of greater trials. This process is all a part of God's perfect design to prepare the trees to stand fast.  

I believe we are given 8-principles within God's Word for embracing trials when they come upon us.  Let's take a look at them so we can better understand how they will be of great help in God's plan to shape, equip, transform, teach and prepare us as His children. 

Let's look at the first principle for trials within the life of the believer:

1.    God is Testing our faith:    Every trial we face will expose our faith for what it is - either weak or strong.  

The LORD tests the righteous... Psalms 11:5 (NKJV)

• We say we believe God is in control (Eph. 1:11-12), but we freak out when things aren't going the way we like.  
• We say we believe God is all-powerful (Rev. 19:6), but we usually turn to every conceivable way of handling a problem before turning to God in prayer for His power and help.  
• We say, we have been given God's power to do all we have been called to do (Phil 4:13), but we usually act as if we're helpless.

As we are tested in various trials, our attitude will act as a barometer to indicate our faith in God's promises and provisions for us.  We are actually answering the question of whether we trust God or not by our actions in response to trials.  

If our faith is weak, we will tend to become angry, bitter, resentful, and we victimize ourselves - laying in a pool of pity, saying things such as, "Poor me, this isn't fair" or, "Why me Lord?"  This type of false perception can bring about a great burden and we can become overwhelmed.  Every decision will be affected and our attitudes will be that of doom and gloom - lacking hope.  

Q:    So how should we handle a trial when we begin to feel overwhelmed?

A:    Seek the Lord in Prayer.  Ask Him if there is any sin to repent, and then apply the truth of His Scriptures.  Jesus gave us clear instruction for when we are heavy laden with problems, and overwhelmed.  

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV)

As we apply God's commands for every situation we face, we will not be burdened by whether or not we are doing the right thing.  We can be confident in His will being done; fully understanding He is in control and allowing the trial.  It is here where true rest is found and peace is obtained.  God's ways are righteous, so why would we want to try another way?

When we find ourselves doing things not found to be in the will of God, we must repent immediately.  Once we have repented and confessed them for what they are, we can be reconciled to God and given a perfect peace (Isa. 26:3; Phil. 4:6-8).  

In Part 2 of this devotional series, we will continue to look at the 8-Principles for embracing trials.

I want to encourage you today, especially if you're finding yourself in the midst of a trial - trust God!  He has a plan, and He is in control.  He has a reason - actually many of them.  And each one has a perfect purpose in your transformation to be Christ-like.

STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn from the Scriptures contained within this devotional with regard to the trials we face, and getting relief from them?

PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you trusting God when you face trials?

APPLICATION: Seek the Lord in the midst of your storm, and apply what you know to be right.  Trust Him and ride it out with confidence properly placed in Him.  He's got a plan.