Trials and Tribulations
Above photo courtesy of Steven Xiong Photos
I'm sure many of you (if not all) have experienced hardships, struggles, or problems in life. I don't think I've ever met anyone who's said they've never had problems, or that they have an easy life. Each of our lives come with their own set of problems, and as long as we are living and breathing, difficult situations or circumstances are unavoidable. This can make life difficult, and even unbearable at times. Sometimes I question why God allows problems, or why some people have it harder than others? Most of the time, I just question why I am having so many issues. I try my best to hang in there, but sometimes I get so beaten down by trials and tribulations, that I begin to lose hope and question God. I know that He doesn't answer to me, nor does He have to answer at all, but when emotions are running hight, I don't hold anything back. I complain and grumble about the injustice (I feel that is) happening to me, and tell God all the reasons why I don't deserve it. When I've done enough pouting, I go to His Word. I have to say that I've found a lot of helpful insight in the Bible, this verse especially: Romans 5:3-5 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Probably not what you wanted to hear, eh? Me neither, but this verse makes me think about my life, and brings me back to how life was growing up. My family was poor, and we didn't have much. We rarely ever got to eat fast food, and I remember having to alternate between 5 shirts and 5 pants for school. Each day, I'd mix and match my clothing items to make my outfits look a little bit different. I remember going to bed with hunger pains, and a growling stomach. As soon as I turned 13, I started working so that I could buy/have things that I wanted; I even had some extra to give to my parents. This way of life was not easy, but it was what I knew, and it taught me to work hard in life.
Then, I look at the way my husband was brought up. He was very spoiled, and got almost anything he wanted (from his own words). He was even rewarded for bad behavior. The only time he was disciplined was by school officials or law enforcement. Soon, he dropped out of traditional schooling because he didn't want to go anymore. Instead, he wanted to hang out with his buddies and have fun. He lived life doing everything he wanted. Now that we are both adults, we have different struggles which stem from our upbringing. He struggles with things like reading, spelling, grammar, and following directions, whereas I love school (especially English), and was afraid to defy any authority. My husband likes to be spontaneous, free-spirited, and take short cuts. I like to be organized, structured, prepared, and go by the book. My husband got into a lot of trouble growing up because he was always testing his boundaries and authorities by seeing what he could get away with. As I compare and contrast our two lifestyles, I feel that my upbringing better prepared me for life as an adult because I was taught to work hard and do things the right way. My husband had things pretty easy, and always had things his way. It was if the world revolved around him. As an adult, he struggles as he realizes that he can't always have things his way. It's a hard habit that he is still battling.
Our backgrounds and upbringing shape the way we raise our children, and sometimes we disagree. I want them to experience hardship and problems so that they work hard. I am more rigid and structured. I want them to earn things in life, and not just be given them. I believe that having them experience problems will prepare them for the future, and produce perseverance, endurance, and strength. How will they know they have muscles if they don't use them? My kids do get some things they want, but they also work hard. I don't want to raise kids who are self-centered, entitled, or lazy. I also don't want my kids to think life is easy, and then face the hard truth when they get into the real world. I want to prepare them the best I can, and I feel our trials and tribulations only make us stronger. It strengthens us, teaches us, and prepares us for this life.
I believe that God only gives us problems that we can handle, and that He has a purpose for it all, though we don't always understand it. We have to fall so that we can learn to get back up. We have to fail so that we can succeed. Only then will we be able to take on all the problems life throws at us. I heard that momma birds will even push their baby birds out of the nest to so that they can learn how to fly. We need to build a tolerance, and a capacity to withstand hardships. We also have to be able to face change, adapt, and adjust to life. Only then will we be able to endure this troublesome world. God doesn't promise us a problem-free life until we are with Him in heaven.
I think of problems as necessary events that prepare and equip us for our life's journey. Scripture says our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a peaceful harvest of righteousness to those who have been trained by it Hebrews 12:10-11). Think of the trials and tribulations as training/tests. Imagine studying for a difficult exam, or training for a marathon. You have to work hard, but it will be worth it in the end. Earlier this year, I read the book of Deuteronomy and came across a passage that was very fascinating. It was in Chapter 13:3-4 and this is what it read: The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. Sometimes God tests us to see if we will keep to His ways, or fall off course.
1 Peter 4:12 says, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you, then later in 1 Peter 5:9-10 it says Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you. I love that. Remember that the suffering is only momentarily, and that it won't last forever.
Lastly, James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Remember that no matter what is happening, or what you are going through, God is with you. Don't lose hope or give up. Don't focus on the difficulty or pain, He is merely growing you. Trust Him, and envision the finish line.
Let us pray.
Father God,
We praise You and revere Your Greatness! We believe that You are good all the time, and all the time You are good. Lord, when problems come upon us, please comfort us, and forgive us when we questions You and complain. Comfort us and help us to remember and recall Your Word when we are in pain. Help us to focus on You and the finished product. May You have Your way in us and may it be completed when Christ returns (Philippians 1:6). Be our peace, joy, and guide. May we grow deeper in our faith, and may the hardships produce character, hope, perseverance, and righteousness. Lord, You know what You are doing and we trust You. You are the One who restores, strengthens, and establishes us. Teach us how to love You with all of our hearts, hold fast to You, and obey You. We need You Lord, and thank You for the work You are doing in our lives. In Jesus' name, amen.
Prayerfully,
Pam
