The Other Side of Trials

We’ve all heard the success stories-

Bill Gates aka one of the richest people in the world, goes from failed company “Traf-O-Data) to Microsoft a couple of years later.

Steven Spielberg was rejected from film school twice, and went on to produce the most iconic movies in history.

Walt Disney dropped out of school, bankrupted a company, and was fired from his job due to lack of creativity, and then went on to create Disney Studios leading to the Happiest Place on Earth.

You might say that these are all examples of perseverance, and they are. These success stories paint a picture of persevering in spite of great difficulties or failures. But as scriptures point out when it comes to our Christian walk it’s in the trials and the testing of our faith, that perseverance is hatched.

James 1:2-4 reads: Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

You might be thinking that a person would have to be somewhat strange to consider trials a joy, but what if trials were the bridge that leads to your success? When trials come into our lives our faith is tested. A trial shouts at you that “God has forsaken you” that “You’re a failure” and that “You can’t do this.” Faith says, “I can’t see how this is going to work, but I know my God has not left me. I know that I am his handiwork created for good work, and I can do all things through Christ who is my strength.”

When testing comes and faith is exercised, the by-product is perseverance. And perseverance brings maturity. Not the kind of maturity that makes you boring, but rather bold. This type of maturity allows you to take the risks necessary, to stay the course, and to move into the unknown. Only when trials come do we get to experience the other side of trials…success.

PT/LT