What can I learn from this unexpected outcome? Or perhaps I should say, “unlearn” first. So much learning happens when we first uncover the deception in our old ideas before we can replace them with the new, eternal truths we can stand on as a sure foundation for life.
What must we first unlearn? Many wrong ideas block our minds to the truth. The lie is that our circumstances are our problem…depleted finances, ill-health, broken relationships, messy environment, inflation, cost of living, unfair labour practice, government, poor service delivery, corruption – the list is endless…these are things that stand between us and happiness.
The truth is that these trials are the very things God uses to chip away at our self-sufficiency so that we are always aware of our need of His grace.
Peter gives us a jewel of truth that shines through the gloom of our depression and despair – he advocates a celebration of the circumstances that we try so hard to pray away!
1 Peter 1:6-9 NLT
[6] “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. [7] These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. [8] You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. [9] The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.”
We must learn to see our trials from a different perspective. Peter says they are transient… for a little while; they test the quality of our faith… it is fireproof; and they produce a joy that rises up and beyond the boundaries of this life…into the future where we will enjoy the rewards of a faith that stood the test.
Wow! That’s something to digest! How different from the world’s perspective!
The world says, “Resist these adversities. You deserve to be happy.” God says, “Celebrate your adversities. They are preparing you for great joy.”
God is smart! His ways and His thoughts are far above ours. Where we attach our happiness/contentment to our circumstances, He takes us to the heart… the heart!
Solomon wisely advised us to
Proverbs 4:23 NLT
[23]” Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
What is in our hearts not only inevitably comes out but it also directs the way our our lives will go. Focus on untoward circumstances will colour our lives with bitterness and disillusionment that taints us and those around us. Focus on God’s unwavering love and goodness, despite our circumstances, will produce hearts of gratitude and confidence in His promises, and clear the atmosphere around us.
Thankfulness for the adversities that keep us on the ground are the real blessing. Pain of whatever kind constantly reminds us of our mortality and weakness, of our utter helplessness without God’s grace, and qualifies us for the sufficient grace God gives us for every situation.
In God’s mercy, He enables us to overcome the greatest sin of all, unbelief, by the very suffering we hate so much. He will use whatever it takes to keep our feet on the ground, so that we don’t go floating off on some imaginary cloud of self-realisation. He will bring us down in a painful way to remind us that “without Him, we can do nothing.”
Let’s learn this lesson quickly and thoroughly. Then we will experience the overcoming attitude that will steer us clear of the pride and the unbelief that insists that “We can do it! We don’t need God.”
John 15:5 NLT
[5] “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”