A dear, young friend is suffering, experiencing anguish of heart. If I could bear her pain I would gladly do so, for I know what she does not yet know. I know that this pain shall pass. At her young age, this is the first time that her faith has been really put to the test, and her faith walk is really just beginning. She is embarking on a lifelong journey in which God will lovingly put her faith to the test, over and over, so that it can be proven. Her faith doesn’t have to be proven to God, and it doesn’t have to be proven to another living soul. Her faith has to be proven to her, and for her.
If our loving, Heavenly Father never tested or tried our faith, we would never know if it was unmovable and unshakable, until severe trials came and proved otherwise, to our great detriment. And thus, we are permitted these “times that try men’s souls”, so that our souls might be tried, to see whether there be anything lacking. These times of trial that are meant to reveal any lack are not meant to harm or shame us, but are rather intended to provide us with opportunities to shore up our faith; to add that which is missing. But, how can we add, if we are unaware of what is missing?
And so, God in His infinite wisdom and love, desiring to perfect all of our ways, will see to it that we are confronted with opportunities to have our faith challenged so that it might ultimately be perfected. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Thessalonica of his desire to be used of God to help perfect their faith; and at the same time, he was encouraged during his own fiery trials because he had heard from Timothy that their faith was standing strong, though not yet perfect.
“But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you, therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith.” I Thessalonians 3:6-10
Of course, the ultimate verse that we all love to hate, and hate to love, was penned under the unction of the Holy Spirit by our Beloved Brother James, who obviously knew a thing or two about the benefits of suffering; “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4
Isn’t there an easier way to perfect our faith? Sometimes I feel a little like Indiana Jones in the pit with the snakes, only I’m whining, “Trials, why’d it have to be trials?” I haven’t met the person yet who loves trials, but in my old age, I am beginning to greatly love what they accomplish in my life. I used to think that James must have had a couple of screws loose with all that “count it all joy” stuff, until I finally realized that I was the one with the loose screws. The joy isn’t about the suffering, it’s about the knowing that the suffering can only produce good in my life. It’s about knowing that suffering can only serve to make me more like Christ if I endure it with a Christ-like attitude. It’s about knowing that these trials are only given to me to perfect me and all that concerns me.
If the sinless, Son of God had to be perfected through what He suffered, how can I expect to become more like Him any other way? “He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” Hebrews 5:8-9
The bottom line is, that I don’t always like the ways of God. I want to arrive at the same destination that He wants me to arrive at, I just don’t usually like His chosen mode of transportation.
While I love being in Botswana, I always dread the 34 hour trip, spread over four flights with layovers, required to get there. Isn’t there some wealthy Christian Businessman out there with a private jet who would like to fly me there in great comfort? No? I didn’t think so. It’s just as well. If the journey was too luxurious and pleasurable, I might not feel such tremendous joy when I arrive there – and I always feel unimaginable joy when I arrive there. Wow – am I listening to myself?
While I long to be perfect, complete, lacking in nothing, I continue to wish that there was some road other than the one marked with suffering that would enable me to reach my desired destination. I fear I just haven’t learned to love the “Ways of God” as I ought yet. But why not? For surely they are all good, as the scriptures tell us:
“He is the Rock. His work is perfect, for all His ways are law and justice. A God of faithfulness, without breach of deviation, just and right is He. Deut. 32:4
“As for God, His way is perfect. The Word of the Lord is tested and tried. He is a shield to all those who take refuge and put their trust in Him.” Ps. 18:30-31
I need to do more soul searching and find out exactly why I don’t love the ways of God as I ought, so that I can do something about this “in need of correction” area of my life. I’m pretty sure I know the answer, and if I’m right, it’s not very pretty. I’ll let you know what I find out, and maybe we can find the solution together.
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