Over the last couple of week I've been thinking a lot about trials, testings and burdens. "Hard providences" as a friend calls them. In my scripture reading this morning, coffee in hand, drying my wet hair by my lovely roaring pellet stove, I read this passage in Hebrews:
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"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings to us so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of throne of God.
Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? 'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, not be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.'
It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which you all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this we had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subjected to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplined us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For that moment all discipline seemed painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no 'root of bitterness' springs up and causes trouble and by it many become defiled." Hebrews 12:1-16
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Remember this is coming directly after Hebrew 11, the famous "passage of faith". Just knowing that everyone of these individuals listed as having faith in God, were sinners that failed sometimes, is encouraging to me. You see, when trials hit me, my first response is to bury my head in the sand (or at least wish to!) and hope that the trial will just "fix itself" or, wonder in my head: "God, I've strived to live for you, but why have you made this happen??" I am a sinner, but my sin is not an excuse for those kind of first responses. It's just when trouble hits you, sometimes you feel like you've been hit with a dump truck and you are being run over multiple times in fast succession! It takes some serious scripture studying to clear your mind. I think the reason for this is our lack of faith in God's love toward us. Sometimes we forget the price that Christ paid for us, like verses 2-4 talk about. When we go back and set our minds and hearts on the foundation of our faith--the grace of God in allowing His Son to die so that our sins might be atoned for--we can come to no conclusion other than to thank God for His mercy and love. Trials, tribulations and hard times happen because God loves us so much that He desires to see us grow in our faith. He is sharpening and shaping us. When I was younger, I got countless spankings (and I know I deserved them!!), but my parents disciplined me because they were shaping my character and my heart, desiring to see me grow in the Lord. This passage in Hebrews says God desires the same thing, but even it is even better, because he knows perfectly what is best for us. Hard things happen to us not because God is dropping bricks on our heads for fun, or because he's setting people we know to "gang up on us", (we do think that way sometimes don't we??) but because He knows what is best for our sanctification and it's usually not what WE think is best. As James says:
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"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have it's full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1: 2-4
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We are to have JOY when trials happen because we trust that God loves us and knows what is best for us and he is perfecting our faith in love. It is amazing when you understand that (and I'm not saying I do perfectly by all means, but I am learning), you can feel the stress and worry melt away. Understand this isn't easy and it doesn't make your trials disappear, but it does give comfort and strength to a weary soul when we constantly remember this. We should always be open to what God is teaching us, not set in our ways so firmly that we, in the back of our head, think there is nothing more to learn. We also need to be extra diligent that our hearts do not become hardened or begrudging, but that we all the more "strive for peace with everyone and for holiness". It is such a hard thing to do sometimes and sin is always crouching at the door, waiting for a weak moment. I thank the Lord for His amazing gift of His revealed Word! Without it, it would be difficult indeed to walk in His ways... He is so patient toward me a sinner--I certainly do NOT deserve any of the love He has shown or the blessing, he has bestowed.
For a few much better words on hard trials and steadfastness, I encourage you to go
HERE and
HERE... They are encouraging articles written by two godly women.
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