I know what you are thinking. How can any benefit come out of the trials of life? Life can deal out some very severe blows to your life. For the most part you are just glad when they are over with. You say, “Good bye, and good riddance!”
Trials tell a good bit about the kind of person that you are. When life is going on easy street you have a happy-go-lucky type of attitude. Life is good, so you are good. When life is on the rocks, you are down and out. The mere presence of hard times in your life actually reveal something about the kind of person you actually are. Someone once said, “The measure of a man is the way he bears up under misfortune.” Think about that for a minute. Better yet, see how that applies to your life as troubled waters roll over your soul.
You may think that all those hard knocks that life dishes out are just meant to endure. You choose the best route in your life to eliminate them as soon as possible. After all, Christ wants to live a happy life on earth, doesn’t He? Actually, no He doesn’t! The grab all the gusto you can and live life to the fullest is not a biblical view of life
As hard as it may be to believe, earthly trials are actually for your benefit. For one thing, pain and heartache draw you to Christ. At those times you seek Christ’s help more than the good times. They are beneficial. Scripture says, “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial, for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life. Which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12; NASV). Thus, trials are a good thing.
So, the next time you have a trial, realize that something good is happening to you! You get a crown!
