Are You Refusing the Trials in Your Life?
Tough question, isn’t it?
No one likes trials. It’s not something we willingly sign up for. We don’t stand out in the crowd waving our hands while yelling, ‘pick me, pick me.”
Just the other day I wrote in my prayer journal crying out to my God about how tired I am because of my trials.
I’m tired of not being accepted.
I’m tired of getting attacked.
I’m tired of not being enough for others.
I’m tired of not having enough. (Basically having to rely on Christ for our basic needs.)
And I’m tired of not being able to fix our problems.
Bottom line is I’m tired of the constant state of trials that I’m living in.
And then I saw the next video in the Passion Week series and I gotta tell you, was I convicted!
The Lord spoke to me and said,
Daughter, you’re refusing your trials.
He proceeded to tell me…
You’re missing out on the point entirely.
Going through trials is not just about enduring them, but it’s about going through them in My strength, rather than your own.
It’s about you walking the path of suffering so I can show others who I am through you.
Trials help you to learn things so I can use you to teach others about Me. Remember, you’re the vessel; the one who pours out.
Don’t just endure the trials, embrace them!
That is the call from my Lord.
What is your call? What is it that He’s asking you to embrace?
Via Dolorosa: He Suffered Willingly (Click the link to view the video.)
As we continue following the footsteps of Christ, we’re in Jerusalem on the Via Dolorosa—the road of suffering. It is the road that Jesus walked, staggering toward the ultimate sacrifice with a heavy cross upon His torn and bloodied back. So often we try to refuse the trials that God allows in our lives…where would we be if the Savior had refused His? ~ Pastor James MacDonald
They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross… —John 19:17
Other posts in the Passion Week Series:
- Living in the Land of Doubt or at the Foot of the Cross this Easter?
- Are You Willing to Surrender Your Will?
- Have You Been Falsely Accused?
- Are You Suffering Alone?
Live a poured out life for Christ,
So beautifully written and reflective! Thank you!
Thank you, Kela! Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday. 🙂
I love this! So true. It’s not about going through trials on our strength, but His. I’ve had a couple people who’ve been talking to me lately about why God allows suffering and trials. I can’t help but remember Jesus’ moment of weakness in the Garden of Gethsemane and how He asked if the cup could be passed from Him… and yet He knew it couldn’t, and He stayed anyway. I think people, myself included, often pray similar prayers… if only this trial could just pass me by… if only I could just get through this and put it behind me… if only it didn’t happen to me. I believe God included this moment in Jesus’ earthly lives so we could recognize that Jesus was fully human in addition to being fully God, and that He can relate to us, and we can relate to Him. Jesus had the courage to stay in the garden knowing the soldiers would be coming for Him to take Him away to the worst death imaginable, and He had God’s strength to get Him through it. We also have God’s strength and courage to get through the good, the bad, and the ugly trials – and we just have to remember that God deeply desires our hearts – and for us to turn to Him.