Hold Steady in this Trial
Trials. A dreaded word when trouble surrounds us. Jesus warned his disciples they would have trouble. Then he encouraged them to take heart because he has overcome the world (John 16:33). Fast forward two thousand years—ancient history has morphed into a modern society filled with innovation, technology, and ease. Christians today understand the difficulty of following Christ in this world. Though we recognize God uses suffering to sanctify his beloved children, we often need reminding that each trial is appointed for us by our heavenly Father for a greater purpose.
Recently as I walked through a season of difficulty, these words of the Apostle Peter were a balm to my soul: “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good” (1 Pet. 4:19). As I meditated upon this verse and reflected upon past afflictions, the Lord taught me some valuable lessons. I pray these reflections encourage and help you as you journey through your own seasons of difficulty.
Trials Come from God
Though it’s hard to accept, Scripture is clear; it is God’s will for his people to suffer. Was there ever one who suffered as our Savior suffered? And by whose hand did that suffering come? Isaiah gives us a surprising answer: “Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him” (Isa. 53:10). When we look past the great anguish of the cross, we find the immeasurable blessing that resulted from a suffering Messiah. God allows, and brings, trials into our lives for our good (Rom. 8:28). As hard as they are, I’m comforted in knowing that tribulations have a divine purpose. Aren’t you? They are the means God has chosen to sanctify his beloved children. He is acquainted with our remaining sin and knows the precise dose of medicine needed to remove it.
These insightful words of Amy Carmichael show us how God—the refiner—with great precision purifies his precious gold—his children:
““[The goldsmith] was sitting beside his little charcoal-fire. (“He shall sit as a refiner”: the gold-or silversmith never leaves his crucible once it is on the fire.) …and the goldsmith lifts the gold out with a pair of tongs, lets it cool, rubs it between his fingers, and if not satisfied puts it back again in fresh medicine. This time he blows the fire hotter than it was before, and each time he puts the gold into the crucible the heat of the fire is increased... “How do you know when the gold is purified?” we asked him, and he answered, “When I can see my face in it...then it is pure.”.”
Remember Who God is
As we acknowledge that our difficulties are from God for our good, it is helpful to remember God’s character and the fact that he is our Creator. Does anyone know us as God does? He numbers the very hairs of our head. He perceives when we sit or lie down. Before a word is on our tongue, he knows it altogether (Ps. 139). If the sparrow doesn’t fall to the ground apart from Almighty God’s caring and providential hand, shouldn’t we be assured of his great care for us? When we are in the midst of a trial, we can often forget these truths. I know I can.
Several years ago, someone very dear to me who had grown up in the church and had been well taught in the ways of the Lord, began to walk on a wrong path. My heart ached for this young man’s sudden rejection of all he had believed. Day after day I cried out for his soul, for God to intervene. Months passed with no change. Almost daily the wave of despair tried to pull me under with its torrent. By God’s grace, even in such deep sorrow, I came to understand that God was faithful and worthy of my trust in this dark valley—whether he answered my plea or not. Christians, our hope must be in the God who answers prayer, not in the answer we think we want to our prayers.
When Job suffered so deeply, his friends came alongside to help him. An extended discussion ensued which proved unhelpful to Job who sought to know the why of this calamity. God silenced the discussion when he asked Job a barrage of questions: Where were you? Have you commanded? Have you entered? Where is the way? For four chapters God asked Job about creation, its diverse creatures, nature, and its intricate design. This cross-examination taught Job that God, the faithful Creator, is good and his wisdom incomprehensible. Job never got the answer he thought he was searching for. He received a much better gift than that—a deeper knowledge of the all-wise God and of his profound love.
As we walk through seasons of suffering, may we remember our heavenly Father and faithful Creator. He will never fail us.
Keep on Doing Good
It was Sunday morning. Worship was about to begin. My heart raced as my eyes searched the crowd in anxious anticipation. O God, please bring her! Please! Service began with opening prayer, but my heart wouldn’t bow. I was too busy being angry. First song, no one came in. Second song, my jaw clenched, lip quivering in resentful disappointment. Why, Lord?
Earlier that week I had taken a courageous step, pushed past fear, and challenged a dear friend to step out of her stubborn rejection of the gospel and come to church. We had a good talk, and I was sure she was going to come. I have prayed for years for this friend, and I was convinced this bold step of obedience was from the Lord and that he was working in her heart. By the time the third worship song began that Sunday morning I knew my friend wasn’t coming. My heart ached. I fought tears of self-pity and frustration while the words of the third song cut through the throbbing in my ears:
“And all my life You have been faithful,
And all my life You have been so, so good,
With every breath that I am able,
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God”
I couldn’t sing those words—bitterness grasped at my heart. Thankfully in that moment, I was convicted and grieved by the reality that I couldn’t sing. I vowed to not succumb to the anger which threatened to take hold. Instead, I opened my mouth and surrendered my heart to praise God. A lifeless whisper at first, it gradually warmed to heartfelt worship full of gratitude for the Lord’s mercy—even if he didn’t do what I thought he should do.
Peter tells us to keep on doing good. That could look so different in each trial, each moment. But rejoicing in the Lord is a good place to start. As we worship God and love our neighbor, our eyes are lifted away from our own problems. Doing good keeps us too busy to throw our own pity party. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances, even the difficult ones (1 Thess. 5:16-18). I speak from experience—the Lord showers us with great comfort and grace as we do.
We have a Great Hope
I once knew a woman whose earthly life was replete with suffering. Her name was Molly. She was blind, her gift of sight taken away at an early age. Molly’s first husband abandoned her, leaving her to care for their young son alone. Diabetes took one of her legs, and when I met her the disease was claiming the other. Yet she came from thousands of miles away to minister to our little church. I met her more than fifteen years ago but remember the occasion like it was yesterday. She radiated a contagious joy and delight. Her voice was meek and gentle. She had full confidence in her Savior, so her words came forth with authority. She had lost much, suffered greatly, but knew this world was not her home. Her hope was in heaven. Why? Because the many trials of this life loosened her grip on earthly things and helped her blind eyes to see clearly the glories that awaited.
Her parting words to me? “Hold steady.” Those words gave my new-found faith a rock to stand upon and still echo in my mind so many years later. They have carried me through seasons of great difficulty and remain a beacon of hope that remind me of Jude’s exhortation, “Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life” (Jude 1:21). Speaking of hope—are there any more precious words than these? “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Pet. 5:10)
Sometimes the refining fire gets uncomfortably hot. Yet each trial transforms us just a bit more into the image of our Savior, strengthens our faith, reminds us that this weary place is not our home. Difficulties and tribulations are appointed to loosen our grip on the earthly things we hold so dear, to shift our gaze upward just a bit more, and to deepen our hope for the day when we shall be like him—for we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:2).
Hold steady, dear one. That day will soon be here.