Joy In The Midst Of Trials

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Hebrews 12:2

Where did we ever get the idea that the Christian life is to be a carefree life without trials?

When trials come, we sometimes act as if God is out of town on vacation. We question God: Why is this happening to me? What did I do to deserve this? After all, I attend church regularly, give liberally of my tithes and offerings, and have told others about Christ. So why am I going through this difficult circumstance?

Read the promises of Scripture for the answer. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation.” He didn’t say that you could have tribulation or that if you aren’t a good person, tribulation will come your way. Jesus flatly stated that you will have tribulation. It is as certain as growing older.

Jesus also said that if He was persecuted, you are going to be persecuted, too, because “no servant is greater than his master.” Actually, people are not so much persecuting you as they are persecuting the Christ in you.

But the wonderful promise of Christ is that while you will have trials and tribulations, “Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” So Jesus is saying that while people are persecuting you (or persecuting Jesus in you), don’t worry about it. He has already overcome the world, the source of your trials and tribulations.

Have you ever had to worry about a financial debt, only to be told not to worry about it, that someone else would pay the expense? It is a remarkably freeing experience.

That is precisely the experience and attitude God wants us to have in the midst of our trials. God wants us to look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. He has already overcome similar trials and tribulations and will give us the power to do the same. He waits only to be asked.

Our Father and our God, when trials and persecutions come to me, I pray that You will give me grace and patience to endure them with joy. Help me to live in a way that pleases You, that makes a powerful testimony to those around me that my God is alive and caring for me. Help me to look to Jesus for strength. In His name. Amen.

Billy Graham, Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2010).