Enduring the trials we face

2017 was a really tough year for me; and from what I’ve seen online, and discussions with family and friends, it appears that it had been a really tough year for pretty much everyone else too. Some of you might be able to relate, and agree. Others might not. Those in the latter category are the exception, I believe, and not the norm.

That said, when times are hard, it’s easy to wonder why bad luck seems to hit you over the head, kick you when you’re down, and then add insult to injury by dragging you through the mud. During times like these, it’s easy to shoot up a quick prayer, asking, “Why me, Lord?”.

However, it’s during times like these that I believe we should actually be saying, “Thank you, Lord!”. And yes, I can hear the collective eyes rolling in unison at that statement. I say this, because many of the Bible greats had to endure trials and tribulations before they were finally rewarded.

For example...

Job:
He lost his cattle, servants, children, and his health. In short, he lost everything. Yet, at the end of the day he was rewarded for his faith, and blessed beyond measure. This is how his story ended:

10 After Job had prayed for his three friends, the Lord made Job twice as rich as he had been before. 11 Then Job gave a feast for his brothers and sisters and for his old friends. They expressed their sorrow for the suffering the Lord had brought on him, and they each gave Job some silver and a gold ring.

12 The Lord now blessed Job more than ever; he gave him fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand pair of oxen, and a thousand donkeys.

13 In addition to seven sons, Job had three daughters, 14 whose names were Jemimah, Keziah, and Keren Happuch. 15 They were the most beautiful women in that part of the world, and Job gave them shares of his property, along with their brothers.

16 Job lived for another one hundred forty years—long enough to see his great-grandchildren have children of their own— 17 and when he finally died, he was very old.

- Job 42:10-17


Joseph:
This young man had a reason to be excited about the future. He had visions of his brothers all bowing down to him. How awesome is that? Imagine his surprise when life threw a curve ball at him, and those very brothers who were supposed to bow to him, tried to kill him, and threw him into a well. They then sold him into slavery, and later, he was imprisoned for doing the “right” thing by not messing with Potiphar’s wife.

And how did his tale of misery end? As him being in charge of Egypt, with his brothers kneeling at his feet.


Other notable mentions are:
Daniel and his friends, who was imprisoned, thrown in lion’s dens, and even into burning furnaces.

Noah was ridiculed and mocked by everyone before he was rewarded for his faith.

Moses had to flee his life of wealth and fame, and live in exile in the desert, where he had to babysit sheep. He ended up performing some of the greatest miracles in the Bible, and led an entire nation to freedom.

Gideon’s clan was the weakest, and he was considered the least in his family. So, you can understand that he was reluctant to build and army to fight the Midianites. When he finally did so, he had to water down most of his army to only 300 men. The enemy (the Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples) had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore. Gideon and his tiny army won, and there was peace in Israel for the remainder of his life.


So next time life gives you an uppercut to the solar plexus, remember that faith is rewarded. Say, "Thank you, Lord," and keep your chin up, because every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out. (1 Corinthians 10:13)


Have a blessed day!

Len


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