FACING TRIALS
James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance (patience). Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
2 Corinthians 12:9
But He (God) said to me “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”.
Sometimes we have to go through times of hardship (trials) to better understand God’s power and unending and undeserved love for us. That is what happened to me recently.
We traveled to the American West finals in Reno, Nevada. My entry fees were paid, and it is about 1000 miles for us to get there. I had prayed over the trip and never got any message that I was not doing the right thing. I felt good and my horse was working pretty well. This year I was approaching the finals with excitement and happy anticipation. We had attended the past three years and it always seemed in past trips there was something that prevented us from doing our best. However, through ministering to others while there in past trips I knew why the Lord had me attend. I love to minister to those in need and tell people about the love our Lord has for them. However, I also would like to compete to the best of my ability with the best horses in the country to see how we stack up.
On Tuesday during an exhibition run my horse and I took a very hard fall. I knew I was hurt and as the day went on I realized I how badly I was injured. The runs did not start until Thursday and I did not even get on my horse on Wednesday. I suspicioned a broken rib and also had a pretty ugly looking ankle.
On Thursday my husband, Gene, taped my ribs and we bought a support for my ankle. He saddled my horse for me a literally lifted me up into the saddle. That was the way I competed for four runs. It was, to say the least, not what I had planned for the week. However, I knew even in the time of trial that God was with me.
Many people were concerned about my condition. The fun thing was that because of the events that took place (the fall) I was allowed to share God’s word with them. I considered it pure joy to be able to tell them how God’s grace is sufficient to sustain us in all times. And that by leaning on the Lord before and during my runs there was no pain. I did hurt after I ran but when it came time to get on my horse and run I knew the Lord was with me because I was really quite comfortable. Even though we did not win any big money my horse got better every run.
When Opie and I fell on Tuesday the first thing I did was pray. I went to the throne of God to seek His mercy, wisdom and guidance.
I know from past experiences we need to lean on God in all circumstances. He wants us to do this. We will all have trials here on this earth. There will always be things happening in our lives we do not want to deal with. It may be a physical thing or a spiritual thing or both. But our Father is here for us to lean on. We can approach His throne boldly with our requests.
By approaching the throne we know He will provide for us. He will give us whatever we need to see us through our situation. We must understand, though, He may see the situation different than we do. But by facing the trials of this life with God’s guidance we will develop perseverance and patience. When we go through a trial it is like going through a tunnel. Things may be dark for a while but when we come out the other end we see the light or understanding and therefore know why we had to go through that tunnel.
I know the Lord was with me on every run. I know he gave me the will power to finish the race set before me. I also know that in my weakness and injury His power was great because there was no other way I could have gotten through those runs.
So the next time you are in a situation (tunnel) you don’t understand and you are suffering spiritually and/or physically go to God. Seek Him out. Place yourself and your requests before Him. Consider yourself special and have a joyful heart when trials come upon you. Allow Him to do a work in you and to work through you to accomplish what needs to be done. Let His power be made perfect through your weakness. And then, the best part of all is GO TELL SOMEONE ABOUT IT!