Are You Thankful For The Trials Of Life?

For many Christians, trials and struggles are par for the course. Jesus warned us to expect them (John 16:33). Paul encourages us rejoice in our sufferings (Romans 5:3). And James admonishes his readers to “count in all joy” when trials come our way (James 1:2-5). Countless other verses remind Christians that this world will be challenging for us and encourage us to stay the course and trust. Yet, it’s one of those things that is easier said than done. Harder still is to look at the trials of life as what they are – an opportunity to grow.

Fearful or victorious

Right now, in my personal life, things are, well, chaotic. This season of life is bringing on many opportunities and challenges. It would be easy to take a look at all the tasks, all the activities, and all the obligations and become overwhelmed. To become burdened and fearful and even a little despaired.

In fact, I have been guilty of letting a little of that fear creep up and grab hold.

However, I have also been spending a lot (and I mean a lot) of time talking to God to find out just what this time in life is for. What I found, is that I should be grateful for the trials and struggles in my life.

Pray Without Ceasing

1 Thessalonians tells us clearly that we are to “pray without ceasing.” Literally, without intermission, without pausing, and without stopping. We are to be constantly praying and talking with God. Taking our praises and our fears and our worries to the One who can hear and help.

The One who can see the big picture and help us through these situations and use them for His glory if we only allow Him to do so (Romans 8:28).

But it’s not always easy, is it? It’s not always easy to take our struggles to the Father because sometimes we wonder if He cares, right? And sometimes we feel as if we are not being heard because unlike the Genie in Aladdin, our prayers are not answered immediately.

Or worse, answered in a different way then we think they should be.

Be Careful For Nothing

Prayer is an interesting thing when you think about it. We take all our cares and worries to God (who already knows them) and place them at His feet. Then we tend to sit back and expect God to deal with our requests in our time and in our way.

But that’s not really the point in prayer, is it?

Philippians 4:6 tells us to “be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

It does not say, tell God what you need to be done and He will do it. Only that we are to take our requests to God. However, if we look at the beginning we do see a qualifier; prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.

I think that is that part that a lot of us get stuck on. Sure, we might pray, we may ask for help with a financial struggle or assistance for a sick friend or family member. And we may even have a prayer room or journal to make sure we are covering all of our bases.

But do we remember to not worry? Do we remember to be thankful in our prayers? Not just thankful for the good things, but the struggles too?

Thankful For Everything

Being thankful for our struggles can be challenging.

It’s not easy to be grateful for a difficult time in our lives. It’s not easy to be thankful for the trials we are facing. But we can be assured that all things work for good (Rom 8:28) and that our struggles, our trials in this life, build our patience and our character (Rom 5:3-4, James 1:2-4).

It’s not an easy concept to wrap our minds around, that’s for sure. However, we need to remember that God is working on us daily and it’s in our challenging times, in the times we think we can’t go any further, that He is growing and strengthening us. God is preparing us for the days ahead, the situations we may find ourselves in later in life.

And for that, we should be grateful.

We should not be surprised when we find ourselves in situations that challenge us emotionally, physically, or spiritually. We should know that we will be tested and strengthened. Furthermore, we are told to be “glad with exceeding joy” for these things (1 Peter 4:12-13).

Glad With Exceeding Joy?

Can you say that you are “glad with exceeding joy” while you work through your trials? As you venture through your own personal struggles and the trying times in your life?

I know that I can’t and that God is working on this in me. But I have to let Him. I have to ask for the strength to endure and to continue.

Yes, it would be easier to ask God to take away my problems, but the problem is that without the trials of life, I don’t grow.

However, if I can ask for the strength to continue and the faith needed to see it through to the end… If I can hold on and trust that God is using this situation to work out His plan in my life… well then, then I can keep my eyes focused on what’s truly important.

The Benefits of the Trials of Life

Asking God to take away my trials is the same asking God to take away the blessings, the lessons, and the growth that these situations give us. Asking to get out early, is like saying “I can’t be that strong.”

But with God, we can be. We can be as strong as He wants us to be, do as much for Him as He needs, but we have to first endure the situations that allow us to grow.

Just like we can’t run a marathon without first training, our trials are our training grounds for God. They are the track with which we learn to run with God and for Him. These are the tracks where we can know that after we have suffered a little, God will restore us making us more complete and stronger for Him (1Peter 5:10).

Running The Race

So while right now may be a challenging time for us, I know that God’s got this. He has a plan for this time in our lives and I can call on Him through prayer. I can be grateful for this season just as I would a good one, and keep on going.

It may not be easy, and I don’t always know which way He is going, but I do know that it will all work out in the end. For now, I can keep running on this track that God has placed us on because I know He sees the big picture (Hebrews 12:1).

If you find yourself in a season of challenge, remember to bring that to God in prayer. But to also thank Him for the opportunity to grow, for the pruning He is doing in your life, and the opportunity to prepare for something in the future. Ask Him for the strength to get through this time and the courage to keep moving in His direction.

Do you remember to thank God for your trials and your growth? Comment below and let me know how God is strengthening you!