‘Won’t be long and we’ll either be the asker or receiver of the question, “What would you like for Christmas?”
Here’s one answer you likely won’t hear: “Give me some tests and challenges, please!”
And yet, in the Bible we find this encouragement written by James, the half-brother of Jesus:
What could he possibly have meant? How can tests and challenges be considered gifts?
And then we might remember the saying, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
James does mention strength that comes from perseverance, contributing to maturity and spiritual competency (v. 3). But difficult circumstances produce even more, including these ten aspects of the gift of trials:
GREATER GODLINESS
Pressure will make us into the kind of people God wants us to be—more responsive to him, more like him [1]. (And isn’t that who we want to be also?)
HEIGHTENED AWARENESS OF GOD’S PRESENCE
In the darkness of adversity, we’re able to see more clearly the radiance of his face. It happens as we spend time with him, and he ministers to us [2].
INCREASED SPIRITUAL POWER
God creates more friction when he desires to create more power in our lives [3].
Think of Joseph’s trials before becoming prime minister of Egypt, or David’s troubles while on the run from King Saul, or Jonah’s suffering in the belly of the great fish before preaching in Nineveh.
STRENGTHENED CONFIDENCE
Trouble strengthens our confidence that with God, we can endure whatever difficulties the future may hold [4].
A CLEARED PATHWAY
Some storms come, not to disrupt our lives, but to clear our path [5].
For example, a young couple we know put an offer on a house they really liked, but the sale fell through. Highly disappointing, of course, but that cleared the path for a better-suited home at a better price.
And during the season of waiting, they learned lessons in faith and perseverance.
ENHANCED EMPATHY
The pressure we endure helps us understand the challenges faced by others, equipping us to empathize and help [6].
ETERNAL INFLUENCE
God will make our sacrifice of suffering count for all eternity [7]. The person who serenely trusts God to bring good out of their pain demonstrates the power of faith and draws others to Christ.
SWEET DISCOVERIES
“It is often through the most difficult trials that God brings the sweetest discoveries of himself” [8].
During a particularly trying season, I sensed God next to me in the car every day while driving to the school where I taught. His sweet presence was so palpable I sometimes had to blink away tears.
A SIGN OF VALUE
Trials indicate we’re precious to God. Otherwise, why would he spend so much time and energy perfecting us [9]?
ENHANCED JOY
Paul wisely advised we think on those things that are excellent and praiseworthy [10], turning our minds from what hurts to what helps—gratitude. To do so magnifies our joy, even during troublesome times.
These bits are from my gratitude journal:
- An hour-plus of fun with the toddlers at church. Who can think about troubles when playing with little ones?
- Six different species of birds, frolicking in the backyard trees–a veritable circus to enjoy.
- The prayer of a friend that warmed the heart and lifted the spirit
- The treasure of family, whose love and support are especially meaningful during stressful times
- The good medicine of laughter. I texted our younger son that his third niece had taken her first steps. “I don’t understand what the big deal is,” he wrote back. “I’ve been doing that for years!”
And there you have it. Ten facets of the sheer gift that tests and challenges bring into our lives—all wrapped in God’s unfailing love.
The question is, will we receive it?
[1] Selwyn Hughes, Every Day Light, 142; Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 3:18
[2] Sarah Young, Jesus Calling, 361; Psalm 89:15-17a
[3] Based on an A.B. Simpson quote.
[4]Sarah Young, Jesus Always, 152; Philippians 4:13 AMP
[5] Unknown.
[6] A.B. Simpson, quoted in Streams in the Desert, 197; Philippians 1:6 AMP
[7] F. Elaine Olsen, Beyond the Scars, 163.
[8] L. B. Cowman, Streams in the Desert, Jim Reimann, ed., 143.
[9] L. B. Cowman, 77.
[10] Philippians 4:8
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A truth we don’t like to hear, Nancy. It’s wonderfully encouraging, therefore, when we gain insights into what purpose God’s more challenging “gifts” serve❣
I agree–it helps to know the specifics of why we can “count it all joy.” (You can remind me of them the next time a difficulty comes to call!)
Excellent post! Wise words to ponder when we face difficult circumstances. It reminds me of the verse from Romans 8:28: “All things work together for good to those who love God, who have been called according to His divine purpose.” (I love the photo of those ‘first steps’!)
Thank you, Linda. I’m so thankful for scriptures like Romans 8:28–a verse that ministers to our spirits no matter what circumstances we find ourselves. Praise God for his promises that encourage and strengthen our spirits!
You are so right, Nancy. Thank you for gleaning those “pearls of wisdom” from the Word. The challenges we endure will help us grow to be what God wants us to be. But we have to leap over the hurdles to get to the eternal finish line. 🙂
I delighted in finding these wise gems to share, Nancy. Each one encouraged my spirit, so I was quite sure others would find them helpful as well. As for those hurdles, praise God for his good work within us, enabling us to finish the race (Philippians 1:6)!
God will not ever stop shaping and molding us into the creations He intended us to be to fulfill His promises, even if it means going through pain, suffering, and lots of asking “Why?” on our part. Dealing with all the medical issues with Danny has certainly kept me dependent upon Him to see me through with faith and courage. I can definitely attest that through the trials, God has given me more strength and resolve that I could have ever thought possible. Because of this, I’ve been able to hand another stressful situation with my son completely over to the Lord’s care without reservation. He prepares and He equips always. Blessings, Nancy!
Thank you for refreshing our spirits with your affirmations of truth, Martha. Our God DOES supply the strength we need to persevere through trials, and he always prepares and equips us for whatever we must face (Philippians 4:19). Praise God also for his peace, as we cast our anxieties upon him (1 Peter 5:7)!
Valuable truths, Nancy. While we suffer, we rejoice too at His presence with us in a way we could not experience otherwise. A paradoxical gift.
I’m thinking that concept of “paradoxical gift” could be turned into a poem by a creative wordsmith–like you!
ME?! Point taken. 🙂
Nancy, this is encouraging and a good reminder of God’s amazing grace! Thank you!
You’re welcome, Pam. I’m so glad you found encouragement here–praise God!
AMEN IN JESUS ❤ NACNY<3
Praise God for his inspiration, and thank you for stopping by, Kristi!
What a great list and a good one to ponder. I just read a prayer from Julian of Norwich who starts, God, in your goodness, give me yourself for you are enough for me. Just think of asking that! wow.
Talk about being complete and lacking in nothing! Julian certainly modeled for us what that looked like. Thank you, Jean, for adding her prayerful affirmation to the conversation!
Thank you for drawing me from only seeing the difficulties around me to seeing the possibilities that God has for me as I look above, to Him.
Isn’t it amazing how many possibilities there are? Even beyond these ten God surely engineers more. Another direction for our gratitude journals, Patty: What did God teach me or show me today; how did God minister to me today? Another way to encourage our own spirits!
“His sweet presence was so palpable I sometimes had to blink away tears.” -love this!!
In the good and the bad, may we be so close to Him that we have peace that passes understanding!
AMEN, Alicia! I have to admit, sometimes I lose focus and God’s peace fades from my thoughts. But it is ALWAYS there when I turn my mind back to him (Isaiah 26:3)–hallelujah! Part of the training that occurred during that difficult season was taking my thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and focusing on praising God. Little by little the time between slipping into negativity and reorienting myself to praise became shorter. Hallelujah for that too!
❤️🙌Amen!!
I understand the benefits of tests and struggles and try to apply that attitude when I am in them. I still find it hard to ask God to send them to me.
I’m not familiar with any scripture that teaches we should ASK God to send us tests and struggles. He does instruct us to be attentive to the joys that result, as means toward contentment. Kudos to you, Linda for applying that attitude as difficulty comes your way! No doubt others have noticed your serenity and joy, providing an example for them follow and drawing others to Christ.
Your insights are always so valuable, Nancy. ❤
Praise God you find insight here, Anna. He IS the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17), including inspirational thoughts!
When difficulties arise, I find myself drawing closer to God in prayer and His Word. Sometimes it is not immediately as I wallow in self-pity for a time. Then I remind myself that I may never know exactly why I am going through tough emotional times but I am reassured that He knows why and how it is good for me in the long run. It is all part of His plan for my life. I’m blessed that He cares for me abundantly and everything is in His control. The Peter Marshall quote is exactly appropriate.
Self-pity is a strong adversary; I’ve gone more than a few rounds with than demon myself! You are so right: prayer and time in scripture are key to fighting our battles. Praise and worship have helped me too, whether it’s reciting scripture or singing hymns and praise choruses. I like your strategy too, of reminding yourself of the encouraging truths that apply–truths that strengthen our resolve and faith.
Hope all is well with you and your family over there
Thank you, Josh! Where is “over here” for you?
‘Here’s one answer you likely won’t hear: “Give me some tests and challenges, please!”’
Ain’t that the truth. But as you’ve so beautifully put it, there are so many gifts to receive from these hard times, things we’d never have learned, ways we’d never had grown.
Thank you for encouraging us to look for His invitations.
Perspective helps encourage our hearts and strengthen our resolve, doesn’t it? Praise God you found encouragement here, Linda!
The house we lived in for almost twenty years took another three to sell. It was completely unexpected in a sellers’ market in Colorado. But in hindsight I believe it was God’s intentional challenge, as it created a financial hardship we were forced to live with day after day. Talk about appreciating the little things! With that burden behind us, we are still frugal… and grateful. God is good!
Amen, Dave–God is good as he uses the challenges in our lives to teach important lessons. I’m so glad you can look back with gratitude on that trying time. We’ve been acquainted with a number of wealthy people who had no financial worries, and yet they weren’t happy. Those of us who know Christ have learned, “Little is much when GOD is in it!” (from an old hymn).
The challenge for me is always to think about where I’m putting my focus. It’s so easy to be reactive when times get tough, and to think about what God is doing with the situation I may not like is a choice–and not always an easy one to make. I appreciate your encouraging words, my friend. Thanks for sharing from your gratitude journal. It puts words to the bigger picture.
I have struggled at times myself, Dayle. The enemy does his best to thwart the desire to keep our thoughts centered on all things excellent and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). It’s a constant turning away from negativity, the second we find ourselves drifting in that direction, and turning toward gratitude and praise. As you say, it’s not always an easy choice to make! It may be a battle we’ll have to fight from time to time until we’re home with Jesus. Satan and his cohorts don’t give up easily.
ThAnk you Nancy for these truths. We certainly don’t ask for challenges to come our way, but I truly thank God for placing them in my life. They bring me closer to Him each time.
I feel the same, Cathy. Knowing that God brings benefit out of challenges certainly helps me to be more accepting. (NOT that I’m all smiles and laughter at those times!)