Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– T.A. McMahon
Growth
Even a seed has to push through dirt, so without the burial of the seed, which looks like a funeral service, a seed can never grow. In its struggle to push through the dirt, it is growing roots that can support it and give it strength enough to push through the surface, so what looked like death to the seed, ends up as a living plant.
Opportunities
When you’re going through a trial, look at it this way; you’ve been given a great opportunity to trust God. And, others who are not saved may be watching how you’ll react and if your faith in God is real. See a trial as an opportunity to grow, as a chance to trust, and a way to witness to others that we trust God, even in the storm.
Refining
The Apostle Peter talks about trials as if they’re a refiner’s fire, and that “if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials” (1st Pet 1:6), but why is it necessary? It is “so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1st Pet 1:7). I wouldn’t trust a jetliner that’s not been tested, but the test of our faith is not so God will know (He already knows), but so we’ll know how weak or strong our faith is, but to also grow us in the faith. A faith that’s never tested can hardly be trusted.
Christlikeness
The Apostle Paul desired to know Christ so much so that “as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too” (2nd Cor 1:5). Paul said it was so “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death’ (Phil 3:10). Want to know Christ more; learn to suffer more like Christ.
Conclusion
You can’t unscramble an egg, so why not make an omelet. We can only make the best of what’s ahead of us, and so look at trials as a way for you and me to grow; as opportunities to grow and be a witness; to refine our faith into one that trusts God more; and to be more like Christ, which is our ultimate goal.
