I mentioned in my blog last week that Jesus’ leadership is unlike any other human being in the history of the world. It’s easy to imagine that we understand His leadership, but the truth is His ways are completely different from ours (Isa 55:8-9). In this hour, we MUST ask Him to teach us His ways so that we can walk in His truths.

When we consider His leadership many questions arise. Why does God allow bad things to happen to His people? On one side of the question some imagine that the Lord never allows believers to suffer or to go through trials. On the other side some believe that God directly authors every calamity that has ever happened on the earth. The truth is somewhere in the middle. And therein is a great tension. Though God is not directly authoring every calamity, why does He allow us to go through trials and sufferings? And at times why would He direct us into situations that would cause us suffering? (1 Pet 4:19)

We know Jesus is good and all He does is good.
How then can a trial or suffering be a good thing? 

Consider James’ words about going through trials:

James 1:2-4  Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3  knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

When Jesus directs us into a trial He is using the trial as necessary resistance to enable us to grow in endurance. Endurance is critical for us to mature. If we have never endured through hardship we cannot grow to maturity in Christ. If a plant doesn’t have to push through the soil, sustain the wind, and hold up under rain, it cannot develop the girth to stand when its branches grow broad and heavy. Endurance is critical for the maturity of every living thing.  

The same is true of us. When Jesus authors a trial in our lives it’s not because He is trying to discourage us or harm us. It’s because He is helping us to develop endurance so that we can stand through a future day of difficulty and trial. The Lord is giving us a moment in time right now to develop endurance through a minor measure of suffering and difficulty so that we can have legs to stand in a day of Great Tribulation. 

I pray that we don’t miss this opportunity to grow in intimacy and faith. The Lord has given the whole earth a break that it may seek Him with all of her heart. How much more should the church take heed to this opportunity to stand faithfully through this time, unwavering in love and trusting His leadership? 

A friend of mine once told me, “Don’t waste a good trial. They work something in you that is invaluable.” Right now, I’m trying not to waste this trial. I pray the same for you, that you would bear up through this season of trial and grow in the grace of endurance.

Pray this prayer

Father, I need to grow strong in your grace. I need legs to stand now and in a future day of tribulation. I ask you to help me to see things from your perspective, that I may engage Your heart in this moment so that I can grow in your grace. Thank you for strengthening me and causing me to mature. I accept all you want to do in my life in this season, in Jesus’ Name, amen.