Carrie Cooper, my speaking and writing partner, wrote an insightful post on her blog on October 26. I encourage you to read the entire post at comfortedbygod.blogspot.com. The following is an excerpt from her post titled, "A Benefit of Troubles."
"One of the great blessings of trials is that it reveals our desperate state before a soveriegn God. Without his direct intervention and salvation, we all would perish. It is only because of his mercy do we have eternal hope. Our broken state serves to remind us of our human weakness and his glorious strength. . .Life's hardships point us to the peace of God and the eternal life he offers us. If life were perfect here, why would we hope for eternity?"
Psalm 119:67, 71, and 75 all affirm the benefit of affliction. The psalmist states in verse 67, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word." And again in verse 71 he says, "It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.
Living life from an eternal perspective, as Carrie wrote about, takes grit, courage, and a willingness for God to teach us through trials. For many years of my Christian life I fought against God when afflictions came into my life. I chose self-pity and blamed others for what I was going through.
God, in his mercy and grace, allowed a multitude of difficulties to assault me in order to break my prideful, self-centered will. Now, when I choose to live with an eternal perspective, I can do what James said and count it pure joy when I face trials of many kinds.
However, when I fail to spend time with Jesus, I find myself giving in to the cares of this world. Life lived with an earthly perspective loses its joy.
Could I pray for us?
Father, forgive me when I lose my eternal perspective and let the cares of this world snuff out my joy in You. Teach us to truly live above our circumstances and fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Help us view trials as Your way of creating Christ's character in us. Someday You will wipe away every tear, and we will rejoice that every trial on earth was so worth what You did through it. Thank You for loving us. We love You, Lord! In Jesus' precious name, Amen.
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You've added what I missed...I especially like verse 67 and can totally relate to that. Affliction has definitely drawn me closer to God. I can't imagine facing hard times without the Lord. Thanks, Connie for completing the picture--that's why we're a TEAM!
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