The Importance of Trials

The past few months have been so full of trials. Along with those trials, growth has come. Life has been overwhelming at times but the joy of the Lord has truly been my strength. At first I was confused. I didn't understand why things were happening. I didn't get why I was having to go through the pain. It didn't make sense. God quickly began revealing Himself to me and showing me the importance of the trials.

Ephesians 6:12

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

We're in a constant battle. Our war is not in the physical. Any conflict or struggle is a fight in the spiritual. Our lives are a battle for the Kingdom of God. But we don't have to do the fight on our own. God is the ultimate Warrior and will carry us through every storm.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

“'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

In our weakness, He is made strong. Even when we can't take one more blow, He is right there to help us pick up our sword and continue to fight. And in the end the trial is going to be so worth it.

James 1:2-4

"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."

God has been teaching me to count it all joy in each trial and every season of my life. Even when I am faced with tribulation I am able to be full of joy and complete peace.

John 16:33

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

And this is a song that reflects the cries of my heart from this past season.

B

lessings by Laura Story

We pray for blessings

We pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while, You hear each spoken need

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re near

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom

Your voice to hear

And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near

We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love

As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

All the while, You hear each desperate plea

And long that we'd have faith to believe

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re near

And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us

When darkness seems to win

We know the pain reminds this heart

That this is not, this is not our home

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

And what if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re near

What if my greatest disappointments

Or the aching of this life

Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy

And what if trials of this life

The rain, the storms, the hardest nights

Are Your mercies in disguise

So this has pretty much been my life along with what God has used to encourage me in the past few months. It's been a trial, but it's been good. God is faithful.