During our lifetime, there will always be trials and tribulations to overcome. There will always be struggles to face, obstacles to pass, and problems to solve. Sometimes, we may come up against something that feels as if it were life or death and we have two options: fight or flight.
It is so easy for us, as humans, to want to take the flight option and run away. Why face the problems when we could just avoid them? Sometimes, this is the wise decision, but let us say that your faith is on the line. Let us say that someone holds a gun to your face and says that your fate is in their hands. Will you abandon your faith to be made a fool of, or will you pray to God for a way out.
A gun may seem like a harsh example, but as Christians we are to expect trials and tribulations of all kinds, even here at home. We are to expect trials and tribulations of all kinds at any time as the way to build our relationship with Christ (Acts 14:22) and to build our patience (Romans 5:3). Trials and tribulations, as scary as they may seem, are actually for our benefit because it grows us and brings glory to God when we overcome it (Ephesians 3:13).
Now, some may ask, "why do we have to go through this stuff? Why can't we just accept Christ and go to Heaven?" Well, to be honest, it doesn't matter what path you choose, because we live in a sinful world there will always be tough times. The benefit of being a Christian is that we have God and other Christians who will make these trials and tribulations seem like nothing. Trials come, "so that the proven genuineness of your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1:7) It is through these trials that God may be glorified and that we may grow closer to Him. It is also through these trials that others may see how God carried you through these storms, making it seem as if the trials and tribulations were never even there in the first place. When you overcome trials and tribulations through Christ, you glorify Him and make others wonder who this Christ Jesus is. Imagine the souls that could be brought to God if we just let God take control when storms hit our lives!
So, trials and tribulations will come: how do we overcome them? Sometimes, the idea of trials and tribulations is a scary thought. In other countries, Christians are being put to death just for believing. Christ calls us to have that kind of faith because He had that kind of love for us. He died for us, so why would we not die for Him? Can we not be that grateful? As Christians, death and trials are not things to worry about. God gets us through our trials and death is just our doorway into Heaven. There is nothing to fear when you put your trust in God.
If trials and tribulations of any kind scare you, turn to God now! Storms hit our lives without warning. If you do not have the faith to trust in God to get you through everything, and you want that faith, build it now!
"But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey Him. For the Lord your God is a merciful God; He will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which He confirmed to them by oath." (Deuteronomy 4:29-31)
If this gun were pointed to your head, you can rest knowing that God has His hand over you. He has given you peace unlike this world's; a peace that is not easily shaken by things of this world. (John 16:33) It is God who gets us through our trials and tribulations. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) He carries us through our storms so that we do not have to endure the full force of the winds and the rain.
Trials and tribulations will come at you. This cannot be avoided by anyone of any place or religion. How you react to these storms will reflect how you overcome them; but more importantly, how you react to these storms will reflect your relationship with Christ.
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." (Romans 12:12)
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