‘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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