Musing - How Important are the Trials in Our Lives?

 Hebraic Musing - How Important are the Trials in Our Lives?

Why would James say something this radical?  “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” James 1:2 NIV   Maybe we need to continue reading verses 3 & 4!  “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 1:3-4

While we all strive to live in “risk avoidance” mode, trials do happen; and number of trials you deal with increases as you age.  Someone once said “While all things are quiet and comfortable, we live by sense rather than faith.  But the worth of a soldier is never known in times of peace.”  Key point – Our faith needs trials in order to be truly tested and grow.

Trials in life come in various forms – physical, emotional, relational, spiritual, financial, etc.  And our natural tendency is to seek instant relief and immediate escape out of fear of suffering.   When all things are quiet and comfortable, we live by sense rather than faith.  But the worth of a soldier is never known in times of peace.

So, if trials can serve a very, very helpful purpose.  What do trials do?

·         They test the strength of our faith.

·         They humble us lest we think more confidently of our spiritual strength than we should. 

·         They wean us off worldly things, and they call us to heavenly things. 

·         They reveal what we really love and value.

·         They teach us to value the blessings of God. 

·         Reason teaches us to value the world. 

·         Senses or feelings tell us to value pleasure. 

Peter advised us – “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:6-7 NIV

Why is this song so popular?  ♫ Onward, Christian soldiers!  Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus, Going on before. ♫   Q – What’s the key role of a soldier?  A – to do battle with an enemy!

Summary - Faith tells us to value God’s Word.  Trials test the strength of our faith that we might know where our strength is or isn’t.

Points to ponder

What have we learned from the past trials in our lives?

Are we soldiers in battle?   Are we at peace with the world?

♫  Have we trials and temptations?  Is there trouble anywhere? 
    We should never be discouraged.   Take it to the Lord in prayer. 
    Can we find a friend so faithful?    Who will all our sorrows share?
    Jesus knows our every weakness.    Take it to the Lord in prayer.  ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd               December 3, 2024    
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”