READ
REFLECT
Trials are an inevitable part of life, transcending our ability to evade them. They manifest in various forms, catching us off guard when we least anticipate them. These challenges may encompass significant upheavals like confronting a terminal illness within the family, or they may assume a lesser impact, such as experiencing unemployment or sustaining an injury during a workout.
Regardless of the nature of the trial we face, our conduct and response play a vital role in shaping its manageability. How we choose to navigate through these difficult times becomes crucial.
1. How did you handle the last trial you faced?
While developing mental toughness is indeed critical during trials, it is also important to acknowledge and embrace the inherent struggle. Struggles serve as catalysts for personal growth, enabling us to emerge as more resilient individuals with greater wisdom and experience.
In Luke 9:23, we learn that true disciples of Jesus Christ take up their cross daily. The verse of Scripture reads, “Then he said to them all: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
God bestows trials upon us to refine and nurture our growth. As the Ultimate Teacher, He presents us with a heavenly curriculum to guide our journey. It falls upon us to assume the role of diligent students, actively engaging in the necessary work to overcome the challenges we encounter. By embracing these trials, we deepen our understanding of ourselves and forge a deeper connection with the Divine.
It is not supposed to be easy. If it were easy, we wouldn’t learn anything of actual value. Think about the Israelites. Even after God delivered them from the Egyptians, they experienced trial after trial. One especially noteworthy was the absence of water in such a hot, dry climate. But The Lord always came through, as he does, because the Israelites wanted to follow God’s Word.
RESPOND
1. Commit Luke 9:23 to memory.
2. Write down one way you can better withstand trials in your life.
