“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

It is so easy to pray for what is comfortable. It is so easy to lose our peace when what seems comfortable begins to fade. So often in the church we think that easy living is being blessed by God. That’s not always so. It can be a curse if it leads to lukewarmness. If it leads to self-dependence.

It’s far too easy to grow complacent in our faith when all things go well for us. Our faith slowly turns towards our strength. We provide what we need. We enjoy a beautiful day. Our health is great. Our family is strong. All the sudden we are living life off our knees, in full control day to day.

So when things begin to look bleak, whether in our personal lives or in the city, country or world we live in, it is easy to despair. If Jesus is to be our all, and we lose hope because of circumstances, that circumstance is the real blessing from God to wake us up from our slumber. He’s turning up the heat so that we will not be cold, nor lukewarm, but boiling over in our faith towards Him. Faith cannot grow in ease. It cannot. So when trials come, we are often shown how deficient our faith really is. Trials are there to give substance to our faith. To make our faith real and not just words or an inspiring idea.

As God begins to shake things around us, we can alter our view of each trial. Instead of dreading it, our mourning it, we can receive it as a time of purification. A time to grow in intamacy. When the trials come one after another, it’s a far greater blessing than when things are at ease. Because all too often we regress the moment we are taken out of that refining fire.

The world is fast approaching the time we are told is like no other nor ever shall be again. As we see the climates change in our cities, let us not despair as they who have no hope. Let us rejoice in the trial. Let us allow God to purify our faith. He will burn away all that is not of faith. When things are out of our control, We have nothing left but prayer and that is how we ought to live regardless. Utterly dependant upon God for all things. But without trials we simply do not live out the fullness of faith available.

The days ahead are made to purify the bride of Christ. To make her garment spotless and wrinkle free at His coming. This is only going to occur when we learn how to bear our cross as Jesus did. When we walk in the will of God and not our own, in good times and in hard times. When we don’t shy away from the trial to preserve something of self. We must lose our life to find it. We must walk by faith and not by sight.

Do we believe that our provision is from God? Let God take it all away and test if our faith is in ourselves or in Him, like Job.

Do we believe that God alone can protect our children, and bring salvation? Then let things be shaken, let godlessness overrun the world in it’s violence and it’s wicked ways… then we can see whether we believe in our ability and the atmosphere around us, or do we really believe that it is in God’s hands?

Do we really believe it is He who gives us breath and life? Then let Him prove that as our health slips out of control so that we no longer think our good eating and exercise are to thank for our health, but that in God alone is our health and our strength.

Do we believe that in Christ we have freedom? Then let God prove it when your government given freedoms seem to be disappearing.

Whatever the situation, we have the opportunity to run the race of faith with all we have. To fight the good fight of faith, rather than to despair. If Paul could learn to be content in every situation he faced then so too can we.

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Phil 4:11-13

” in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. ²⁴ From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; ²⁶ in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; ²⁷ in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— ²⁸ besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.” 2 Cor 11:23-28

No one wants tribulation to come, but it is necessary. It is needful that everything in our lives be shaken that can be, so that only what cannot be shaken is left. If the shaking has it’s full purpose, all that will remain is our faith. Faith in the One whom holds all we need. Forgiveness, redemption, cleansing, every earthly and spiritual thing. Only then can we will live with Him as intended in the Garden. Wholly dependent upon our Creator. In ceaseless fellowship, looking to Him alone for all that we are and all that we need.

Our Bridegroom is coming for a spotless bride. Yield to all our sovereign God allows in your life. Let it have it’s purpose. Be washed, cleansed, purified so that we need not be ashamed when He appears! Only a little while longer family of God. Each day is the day that God has made. If we believe His word over our circumstances, then we walk by faith in that day regardless of what it looks like. Then we are able to rejoice and be glad, just as Jesus and just as Paul. If today He keeps me a wife and a mother, then I will be faithful in that calling. If tomorrow all that is taken from me, I will be faithful in the place I am at. Trusting fully in my God regardless. How much hope I have in that whether at ease or in tribulation, God is still God and He never forsakes His children. That thought alone is enough to rejoice in the trial!