Trials of Many Kinds
In my faith journey so far, I learned that God often allows struggles and difficulties to take place in a believer’s life so that “the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” During these moments when our hearts are pounded and we are absolutely broken, we must hold on to His grace, because when you persevere and tough it out, your entire person becomes refined like fine pearls – to reflect a portion of Christ more clearly and radiantly.
I also believe that there’s another kind of trial that takes place in a believer’s life. It’s the kind that you willingly walk through. You refuse to take the wide road and you take a decisive step of faith in the uncharted narrow path. Whether in obedience or in search of His vision for your life – this type of chosen trial will let go of protecting and preserving “me” for the sake of choosing more of Christ. This narrow path will be sweat/tear-stained, yet the growing joy of experiencing (even His suffering) and sharing more of Christ will keep one steady in his/her course. So the command to “consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds” no longer becomes an irrational command but one of opportunity for growth and grace – for you and for others who will be blessed in your spiritual toughness. I was blessed to interact with these “tough” believers in the past 36 hours and their choices challenge me to place myself on the anvil of God, who graciously matures and completes our sanctification in Christ Jesus (James 1:3).
“When God wants to drill a man
And thrill a man
And skill a man,
When God wants to mold a man
To play the noblest part;
When He yearns with all His heart
To create so great and bold a man
That all the world shall be amazed,
Watch His methods, watch His ways!
How He ruthlessly perfects
Whom He royally elects!
How He hammers him and hurts him,
And with mighty blows converts him
Into trial shapes of clay which
Only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying
And he lifts beseeching hands!
How He bends but never breaks
When his good He undertakes;
How He uses whom He chooses
And with every purpose fuses him;
By every act induces Him
To try to splendor out –
God know what He’s about.”
