Boo!

On those rare occasions when life seems to be going fairly well, I sometimes let down my guard. Catching me off guard, a trial will jump out and yell, “BOO!” I’m left feeling like someone has pulled the rug out from under my feet.

We shouldn’t be surprised when trials come our way. James tells us that when, not if, trials come, we should face them joyfully.

We are often like the man who looks at his reflection in a mirror, walks away, and forgets what he has seen. We can focus on our good deeds, forgetting the poor attitudes that remain in our heart. God may choose to test our heart through tribulations so that He can uncover those things which we’ve hidden in our heart (Proverbs 17:3).

In order to be effective and productive in our walk with God, we are told to make every effort to add goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love to our faith
(2 Peter 1:5-8). Our Father knows that we will never develop self-control and perseverance unless we are exposed to some trials.

The next time you have a trial jump out and yell, “BOO,” remember that God’s desire is for you to develop perfectly and completely. Don’t run in fright, but embrace those times of hardship. You will be amazed at the new dimension you’ll have in your relationship with the Lord.

© 2005, Stacy R. Miller