There was a funny video I ran across one day on social media. A little child was crying out in tears, with fear and anguish at the idea that they were drowning. He was kicking and screaming in the body of water and holding on to a rope for support. The child’s parents and others standing by appeared calm, and some were even laughing. As the quick clip continued to play, the child’s mother walked over and grabbed the child’s feet. She placed his feet down so he could stand up. He then realized that the water only rose to his knees. There was never really any danger.
I sometimes wonder if God views us like this. Does God look down on the pity parties we throw in the middle of our trials? Does He think, “If only they would just stand up?” Often, when we are afraid and uncertain, like the young child, we cry out in anxiety. We are flapping and flipping around as if our Heavenly Father is not nearby. There is a reminder of encouragement found in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
16For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17For our light affliction, which is for a moment, worketh for us far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
From the text above, one may highlight the statement, “our inward man is renewed day by day.” Each day we are made new. The Bible tells us that the Lord’s mercies are new every morning. I’d also like to point out that the scripture advises our “light affliction” is “for a moment.” No matter how fierce or heavy a trial, it cannot last forever. We have to go through to get through. But there is victory on the other side. The Lord promised us to triumph over our trials. Verse 17 of the scripture above states that our “light affliction works for us.” God has entrusted his children to be victorious. Look at what the Bible says in Romans 8:37. “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
We are victorious because He loves us. These trials are for our good and His glory. God teaches us to know Him and draw closer through these tests.
Psalms 119:71 states: It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
Romans 8:18: For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
The Lord has a history of victory with those who trust and serve Him. 2 Kings 3:18: And this is but a light thing in the sight of the Lord: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand.
1 Peter 5:10: But the God of all grace, who calleth us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.
These “light” afflictions are to make you perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. They teach you how to pray, seek, and stay before the face of God. They teach you how to endure. They show you how to trust God. They teach us patience.
James 1:4: But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
When we fight spiritual battles, we fight our enemy, the same enemy that fought, tempted, and tried Jesus.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4: For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;
Nevertheless, God reveals things to and through us, as we go through these trials. I remember going through my most challenging trials in 2017. That year was full of one heavy trial after trial, and it often felt unbearable. I remember waking up and going to sleep with eyes full of tears. I would go through each day with barely any food. I lost weight, and my heart was broken. It seemed as if my entire world had turned upside down. I recall crying out to God and reminding him of how long I’d been going through. God reminded me that although I’d been going through for a while, He had not forsaken me. In all the months I’d been trialing, I didn’t lose my mind, my bills were always paid, my family was still intact. Most importantly, the Lord allowed me to realize that He was keeping me. He had never left my side, and I was not consumed. Oh, how sweet it is to be kept by God.
The song “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” by Casting Crowns says:
“‘Tis so sweet, to trust in Jesus.
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more
I am so glad for the Grace He gives to trust Him more. God continues to prove that He is not like man. His word stands, and He always fulfills His promises. Did you know that it is a blessing to trust in God? He establishes and grounds us. Just look at the scriptures below.
“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 KJV
Remember, God is faithful, He will not forget, and He cannot fail. This trial that you are facing is a light thing, and for just a little while. You shall come through as pure gold. The Bible gives a record of the victory of the Saints. They were serving God and doing what was right. However, they found themselves in some bad situations. Remember the Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace in the Book of Daniel? They waited on the Lord. They held on to their faith. The Lord didn’t keep them from the fire, but He was there with them in it. They came out without being burned and not smelling like smoke, but with a testimony. God will deliver on time!
Another story in the Book of Daniel tells us that Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den because he continued to pray to God despite the command of King Darius. Here is proof that when the enemy seeks to devour us, God makes us victorious. The Angel of God was sent to close the mouth of the lions. Daniel survived unharmed and with the testament that his God was Lord. Following this, a new decree was issued stating that all should fear and tremble before God. Whoever failed to do so would be thrown into the lion’s den. Prayer changes things. Be patient in prayer. Wait on the Lord.
James 1:2-4 KJV:
2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Let us pray. Father, thank you for entrusting me to go through this battle. It may feel lengthy with my natural eyes, but in the spirit, I know it’s only for a while. I ask for the grace to trust, strength to endure, and patience to wait on you. My faith is in you. Amen
