4.10.2007

Thoughts on Trials

There’s only one way to develop perseverance: We have to surrender to God as we feel pushed past the human breaking point. We have to reach the threshold of exhaustion and then get pushed even further. One trial can help us deal with fear. Two trials can lead to wisdom. But perseverance? That takes a bundle of difficulties. (Gary Thomas)

The best part is that perseverance is
not the end goal. God doesn't want us to merely have calloused souls that manage to "persevere", he wants to give us hope and joy.

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.
(Romans 5:3-4)


Trials are not meaningless or random.
They are divinely appointed by a loving God who, in his rich providence,
wants
to give us hope and joy.

1 comment:

Beckyb said...

Did you post this for me today?? UGH - I just said to Joe that sometimes I know how Job felt - not at all I am sure, but maybe a little?!?!