THROUGHOUT OUR LIVES we all encounter trials of many kinds. This is universally and historically commonplace to the human condition. This is also exceptionally unexceptional in the life and challenges of Jesus-followers, and should not catch any of us off-guard. Peter tells us, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Pet. 4:12)
This seems foreboding—none of us look forward in joyful expectation of working through difficult circumstances—so Paul encourages us, saying “All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” (2 Cor. 4:15) Peter explains, “if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” (1 Pet. 4:16) He adds, “those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” (1 Pet. 4:19) To this, Paul adds “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9)
We are merely human. The weight of day-to-day living through the grinding challenges of life constantly interrupts the ‘overflow of thanksgiving,’ and the praise of God is frequently stillborn in our hearts. We know that “the joy of the Lord is our strength” (Neh. 8:10d), but sometimes we forget this. Isaiah says that “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall.” (Isa. 40:30) But he goes on to remind us that “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” (Isa. 40:31)
It is this kind of strength found in hope that we need for staying in spiritual balance throughout the trajectory of the arc of life. Our spiritual strength is founded upon the hope of our faith, and that faith is ours only by the righteous grace of God. “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last.” (Rom. 1:17) The gospel is the “good news about Jesus Christ.” (Mark 1:1) Paul says of Jesus that “the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.” (Tit. 2:11) It is this grace working in us that leads us past suffering for our faith to the glory of our hope. Jesus himself bolsters our courage with his assurance: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” (Matt. 5:11-12)
God is a Father who’s love and grace are not without discipline—the duty of a good father is to correct his children for their benefit. Through Jesus he says, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.” (Rev. 3:19a) The Psalmist responds for us, saying “I trusted in the Lord when I said, ‘I am greatly afflicted’” (Psa. 116:10), and “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.” (Psa. 119:67) Paul helps us continue this journey of rethinking our responses to our trials. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Cor. 4:16-17)
We may be merely human, but when we begin to grasp the magnitude of the value of our suffering, it is God who informs us beyond our earth-bound thinking and our myopic grasping for control of our lives: “I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this.” (Isa. 48:10b-11a) This knowledge, breaking into our consciousness from above, changes us in ways that are only revealed incrementally through our day-to-day struggles. And as this wonder begins to stir in our Spirit, we then begin to grasp the heavenly magnitude of the suffering of Jesus, “the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.” (John 3:13b)
That stunning thought expands our spiritual grasp of the gift of grace that reaches from heaven to earth and back again. Paul expands our spiritual grasp of this gift: “To each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” (Eph. 4:7) He then quotes O.T. prophecy, saying “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” (Eph. 4:8, Psa. 68:18) And John, beloved of Jesus, says of his love “Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.” (John 1:16)
The *unmerited gift of grace given to us is the assurance of the hope of our faith. And hope is spelled J-e-s-u-s; it is in him that “We can do all this through him who gives us strength.” (Phil. 4:13) And it is because of God’s grace that we see suffering differently. Paul shares a personal revelation with us. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Cor. 4:18)
Q. When trials come, do I look down, or up?
*“Grace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary (2011), Merriam-Webster, Accessed May 18, 2022.
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