‘I have told
you this so that you will have peace by being united to me. The world will make
you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!’ ( John 16:33)
Introduction
Trials have been the common experience of humankind
throughout history. These trials and storms speak powerfully to the human heart
and reveals our broken, weak, sinful and frail nature as ordinary
mortals. We all experience hardships, trials and troublesome circumstances in
life. All these overwhelm, test, shake and sometimes erode our Christian faith
unless we cling to truth - negative
emotions, fear, doubts, long standing disappointment and hurts, ill – health,
sudden death of a loved one, family difficulties, community and national
afflictions and tragedies which perpetually leaves us in prolong sadness and
misery because of years of seemingly unanswered prayers and expectations. Even
when life sometimes seems to fall apart, we know through our Christian faith
that God is in perfect control strengthening and guiding us in every step and
changing our circumstances for good.
Why
does God allow trials?
The
Lord’s ways are totally beyond our ability to understand as human beings.
Knowing that God has the ultimate powers can leave us wondering why He would
allow our painfully tragic circumstances in life. Why does He allow us go
through hard times? Sometimes, we Christians even assume that if we are
following the Lord, our lives will be problem and trial free. But
Jesus never promised His disciples lives of ease and comfort, but on the
contrary told us to expect tribulations (John 16:33). Christ Himself was not
exempted from afflictions and sorrows. He was called ‘a man of sorrow’
(Isaiah 53:3). The Lord uses hardships to achieve something good in our lives,
but whether we experience these benefits or not depends upon our response.
What
is Our attitude and behavior during trials?
Yes,
trials and troubles are inevitable part of life, they pop up unexpectedly and
come in all shapes and sizes. The question is what is our behavior and attitude
when experiencing difficulty or pain? Do we grumble and complain or indulge in
self-pity? Or do we get angry and blame others for our troubles? All these
reactions lead to despair, frustration and misery. However, St. James presents
a totally different perspective about suffering when he said: ‘Consider it
all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials’ (James 1:2-6). He
urges us not to merely delight in pain and be happy about suffering, but to
assess our trials as an opportunity to receive the blessings God has promised
us when we respond wisely.
Godly
perspective for hard times
Dr.
Charles Stanley suggests that knowing and determining the sources and causes
of trial can help us understand the wise way to react – either is from the self,
others, world, Satan or God. He enumerated some godly perspective
for hard times in his article titled Wisdom for the trials of life in
the InTouch Magazine of January 2012:
·
The
Lord controls the timing and intensity of my trial.
·
He
has specific purpose for allowing it.
·
It
may yield something in me that I presently lack.
·
If
I trust God with a joyful attitude, I will benefit from adversity.
·
Christ
wants to demonstrate His ability to sustain me under great pressure.
·
He
walks with me every step of the way.
·
Through
the power of the Holy Spirit, I will come out of this trial victorious.[1]
Right
attitude to embrace for the trials of life
ü In difficult times, we must always
remember that God will meet all our needs.
ü During difficult times, we must learn
to cling to the Lord’s promise that He is in complete control. We have certain Biblical
assurances that help us endure even if we do not understand.
ü We must understand God’s purpose for
testing our faith and perfecting us. God teaches us through our mistakes.
ü Cooperate with God’s goal. There are
far bigger picture than what we are able to see, and God weaves circumstances
together in beautiful ways.
ü Trials are often necessary to draw us
near to God. We can be confident in trials when we rest in the fact that Jesus
is in complete control, and will work everything out for our good.
Conclusion
St. James tell us that the crown of life
awaits those who persevere under trial. ‘Happy are those who remain faithful
under trials, because when they succeed in passing such a test, they will
receive as their reward the life which God has promised to those who love him.’
(James 1:12). Though Jesus said we would face troubles in life, He offered
encouragement: The ultimate Victory is His, and He will work everything out
for our good!
Rev. Fr. Michael Adefemi Adegbola, Director
Media Service Centre, Kaduna Nigeria 2012.
