Say the word, “blessing,” and what immediately comes to mind?
For me, it’s happy events and lovely gifts, engineered or bestowed by God out of his loving kindness.
But James, the brother of Jesus, saw a different side of blessing: “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides” (James 1:2, MSG, italics added).
Tests and challenges as gifts?! Sounds a bit daft—until we consider:
Take, for example…
THE CRAZY BLESSING OF WANT
Do you wish you had a bigger house? A newer car? Better furniture? Consider yourself blessed, that you’re not like King Solomon–the wealthiest person who ever lived. For all his striving to achieve and accumulate, Solomon discovered that when every desire is gratified, the end result was nothing but meaningless smoke (Ecclesiastes 1:2, MSG).
The blessing of want protects us from the pit of depression caused by self-indulgence.
The blessing of want fosters contentment, as we learn to enjoy and be grateful for what we already have.
THE CRAZY BLESSING OF DIFFICULTY
Difficulties provide a surprising number of positive opportunities. Here are ten:
- To press in closer to God and trust him more completely.
- To experience the adventure of God’s sufficiency (Philippians 4:13) as he enables us to endure—in ways we never thought possible.
- To see how God will bring beauty out of ashes (Isaiah 61:3).
- To discover more of who God is.
- To witness the fulfillment of his never-failing promises.
- To present a sacrifice of praise to God, beginning with the affirmation that he has our best interests at heart—in spite of what we see.
- To be prepared for greater usefulness for God (John 15:2), which fosters greater fulfillment and satisfaction in our spirits.
- To have a compelling story to share, as encouragement for others. Years ago I heard a speaker say, “With no test there is no testimony.” In the final analysis, I’d rather have the latter. You, too?
- To become mature, complete, not lacking anything (James 1:4). That doesn’t happen without trials. As Thomas Carlyle wrote:
- To love our Savior more passionately. Josif Trif, a pastor from Romania during the days of Communism, said, “If it weren’t for Communism, I would not have loved our Lord as much. I kissed the cross the Communists gave me” (1).
THE CRAZY BLESSING OF FAILURE
If failure served no purpose in our lives, God would not allow it to happen. But since he does, we can know that failure is either for our benefit or for God’s glory—often both.
Failure is the soil from which great success can grow, beginning with a crop of positive character traits, such as perseverance, humility, and greater reliance upon God.
Out of failure comes experience; from experience comes greater wisdom; and wisdom leads to a godly life.
“How blessed are those who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because it is they who will be satisfied (Matthew 5:6, ISV)!
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Crazy as it sounds, I want to praise you, Father, for the blessings of challenges and tough times. Thank you for your loving attention that carries me through, transforming me and makes me a better version of myself. I also praise you for the glorious promise that through trouble, hardship, disappointment, or pain–“overwhelming victory is ours through Christ” (Romans 8:37, NLT)!
What crazy blessing have you experienced in the crucible of trouble, hardship, disappointment, or pain? Please join the conversation below!
(1) His Imprint, My Expression, Kay Arthur, Harvest House, 1993, p. 135.
(Art & photo credits: www.imagesbuddy,com; http://www.wallpaper4god.com; http://www.pinterest.com; http://www.izquotes.com; http://www.pinterest.com; http://www.harvesttotable.com.)
From the Inside Out 