Trials and Tribulations
Trials and tribulations… either you’re in the midst of one, just went through one, or are about to go through one.
It seems to be human nature that we don’t naturally like trials and tribulations. And if we had it our way, we would want the road to be smooth and without drama. But as most of you know, very rarely does anything in life go smoothly and without drama.
There is an old Chinese proverb that goes something like this…
A farmer and his son had a beloved horse that helped the family earn a living. One day, the horse ran away and their neighbor’s exclaimed, “Your horse ran away, what terrible luck!” The farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not. We’ll see.”
A few days later, the horse returned home, bringing a few wild mares back to the farm as well. The neighbors shouted, “Your horse has returned and brought several horses back with him. What great luck!” The farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not. We’ll see.”
Later that week, the farmer’s son was trying to ride one of the mares and she threw him off and he broke his leg. The villagers cried, “Your son broke his leg, what terrible luck!” The farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not. We’ll see.”
A few weeks later, soldiers from the national army marched through town, recruiting all the able-bodied men for the army. They did not take the farmer’s son because of his broken leg. Friends shouted, “Your boy is spared, what tremendous luck!” To which the farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not. We’ll see.”
I think you are starting to see the picture. Too often we are stuck in the moment and judge things in the moment. But often times we can’t see the big picture. It’s only in reverse, as we look at the past, that things start to make sense. And sometimes, it may be a lifetime before all of it makes sense.
Remember Joseph? He was the favorite son of his father and was spoiled growing up. Life was good. But because of the jealousy of his brothers, they sold him into slavery and was purchased by Potiphar. Soon after, Potiphar put him in charge of his entire household. But when Potiphar’s wife made advances towards him and he declined, she falsely accused him of coming onto her and he was thrown into prison.
While in prison, the warden grew to trust and respect him so much that he put him in charge of the entire prison. And when Joseph interpreted the dreams of the chief baker and chief cupbearer, it seemed that his luck was turning again as the cupbearer promised to bring Joseph’s situation to the pharaoh. But the cupbearer forgot and Joseph was in prison for another 2 years.
Those last 2 years must have been unbearable to Joseph. And just like the story of the farmer and the horse, things kept swinging from good to bad to good to bad. But in the end, Joseph was brought to Pharaoh to interpret his dream, and we all know what happens. He was made 2nd in command over all of Egypt and single-handedly was responsible for saving Egypt and the surrounding nations during the 7 years of famine.
In the moment, we don’t know the big picture that God has for us. But one thing is for sure; we can trust Him. We can believe that He loves us and has only the best planned for us.
I found a picture on my Facebook feed, not that long ago, that perfectly illustrates this point and it seems that the older you get, the more truth you will find in this illustration.
Trials and tribulations are the very thing that God uses to build us up and fulfill his plans for our lives.
Testimonies to the Church Vol. 3 p.415,416 – “The experience gained in the furnace of trial and affliction is worth more than all the inconvenience and painful experience it costs… It is God who has led you through strait places. He had a purpose in this, that tribulation might work in you patience, and patience experience, and experience hope. He permitted trials to come upon you, that, through them, you might experience the peaceable fruits of righteousness.”
It is through trials and tribulations that God builds our faith and gives us a tangible experience of His goodness and faithfulness.
Testimonies to the Church Vol 3. P.555 – “Faith grows strong by coming in conflict with doubts and opposing influences. The experience gained in these trials is of more value than the most costly jewels.”
Experiential faith is the most precious thing we can have and the thing that will keep us in Him and ensure that we don’t waver in our spiritual journey.
Reflecting Christ, p. 97, - “If we meet obstacles in our path, and faithfully overcome them; if we encounter opposition and reproach, and in Christ’s name gain the victory; if we bear responsibilities and discharge our duties in the spirit of our Master—then, indeed, we gain a precious knowledge of His faithfulness and power. We no longer depend upon the experience of others, for we have the witness in ourselves.”
James 1:2-4 (MSG Translation) – “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”
Trials and Tribulations are a part of God’s plan for our lives. God cursed the ground and brought the thorns and thistles as a blessing to Adam and Eve and to redeem them.
As Christians, we are blessed with the hope and understanding that there is more to life just than our lifetime here on earth. We are blessed as children of the God of the universe and can trust that if we place our trust in Him, one day, it will all make sense.
We may not understand why we are going through difficulties in the moment, but we will one day. It might be tomorrow. It might be next year. It may be at the end of our life here on earth. Or it may not be until we see Jesus face to face in the Kingdom.
Whatever trials and tribulations you may find yourself in today, be patient. Don’t run from it; embrace it. Remember God’s faithfulness in the past and learn to cling to God and rest in His care.