I Corinthians 4:11-13
“Up to this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed and roughly treated and homeless; and we labor, working with our own hands; when we are verbally abused, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we reply as friends; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.”
These are part of the christian life, trials and tribulations. Some may ask if it’s worth it? By far, yes. We’ve been guaranteed heaven, we’ve been adopted into God’s family, He has blessed our lives and relationships, He guides equips and uses us to advance His kingdom and He meets all our needs and He fills us with joy. Peter says it is joy unspeakable and full of glory.
Like all believers I have gone through difficult times. Looking back it appears I have gone through many trials, but the big ones seem to be about one per decade. The one from the 2000’s, the 2010’s and the 2020’s Are clear in my mind. I am about six months past the last big one. It lasted about a year and a half. There was much growth there.
There’s a song called Flowers and one lyric says, “Flowers grow in the valley”. The bible’s common reference about valleys is involving severe trials. David in Psalm 23 says, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, Thou art with me”. God walks with us through the valleys. These are tough. Yet, He’s there.
The tough times are memorable. Old Testament saints would put markers at these places. Stones would be piled up so when they would see them they would remember.
The Bible contains many rememberence ceremonies. Communion is one. We are to take it to remember Jesus’ atoning death. We are to remember our big trials and times of growth. We can look back and see how God helped us through.
My last one had any facets. One was God will work and fulfill His promises in His way and in His time. I should have been much more flexible. I stood and waited for Him to act and He didn’t. I wasn’t patient or open. However in that year and a half I learned to be forgiving and open to Him in ways I may not understand.
He was with me even though I didn’t get it. I was disappointed. I learned the lesson of Psalm 73. Verse 3 says, “For I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” And then verse 17, “Until I entered the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end.” It’s not that I hoped for harm to come to them. Their arrogance and gossip was difficult. I wrestled with unforgiveness. I learned to forgive by faith. I certainly didn’t feel it, I wanted to and asked God to help me with it. I would ignore the hard feelings and praise Him for forgiveness. This was big.
Thank You, Lord for helping us through it all and causing us growth. This is letting His kingdom reign in us and spreading it in our sphere. Thank You!