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Different Trials For Different Needs
Sometimes a trial is to teach a truth or a lesson, and to bring one into conformity to Christ and His way; sometimes it is a work done through one for the good of others; and sometimes it is to accomplish God's purposes overall, so we need patience and peace (Isa.26:3).
Usually, the closer we are to Christ the less trouble we will have; yet, a trial is not always a trouble unless we allow it to be. It becomes a trouble when we go contrary to the mind of God, and He may need to chasten us as He cares for us (see Heb.12:6-11). While It may be a difficulty, it may bring a blessing if we can see it.
Always "wait upon the Lord" (Isa.40:31). We are as clay, and God is the potter (Rom.9:20-21), yet God's ways are perfect and good for man. Our prayer should not be a cry for deliverance, but cause one to lean more firmly on our Redeemer, for He loves us and He will sustain us.
- RLD, rev. 1/08
A STATE OF SOUL
[Thoughts from the CCC paper: Trials And Transitions -OS, By R. L. DeWitt]
Some circumstances may not change, even after prayer, because it is not the will of God, so believers might need to accept them as from the Lord and press on (II Cor.12:8-9). One may also have gotten into a bad state or condition by choices in the flesh (not consulting God), and it will take time to get back on course. We also need time to learn from it. Our state of soul determines how we handle trouble, and if we know our almighty God and Creator loves us we should be settled.
In sickness, sorrow, and other trials, we surely need the peace and comfort of God (II Cor.1:3-4), as we wait upon His will. We cannot find that except we submit to Him and trust Him: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee" (Isa.26:3).
Limitations from birth or along the way are simply reminders that there is no perfection in the flesh. Are we afflicted or do we feel limited? Let us use the talents we have, serve others, committ our way to the Lord, and be thankful for His promises. We will have deliverance one day (Psa.32:7).
God is always doing that which is good. Even though He allows death of loved ones with it's time of sorrow, it is a good thing for the departed saints (Phil.1:21; I Thess.4:13). It is a transition into His presence and joy. He never makes a mistake.
God certainly can heal or help us by just speaking. There are often lessons to be learned, however, and a "quick fix" may not give us what our soul needs. Indeed, God may be drawing us to Himself through a trial, and we would not want to miss this holy experience. We ought to pray for the Father's will, even as did our Lord: "..nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt" (Matt.26:39).
Trials, large and small, are allowed for God's purposes in or through us, and some conditions may be our ministry in life. We ought to have such an exercise that we go into our "closet" with the Lord (Matt.6:6), find solace, commune with Him, and learn dependence (John 15:5; II Cor.10:5). Prayer times are as much communion and yieldedness as they are petition. The Lord wants to speak to us and we need to listen.
John Bunyan, writing Pilgrims's Progress from Bedford prison in A.D. 1676 (sentenced for his faith), tells of trouble as a normal course: "Then Apollyon, espying his opportunity, began to gather up close to Christian, and wrestling with him, gave him a dreadful fall; and with that Christian's sword flew out of his hand. Then said Apollyon, 'I am sure of thee now'. And with that he had almost pressed him to death, so that Christian began to despair of life. But, as God would have it, while Apollyon was fetching his last blow, thereby to make a full end of this good man, Christian nimbly reached out his hand for his sword...". See our own resource in Ephesians 6:12-17.
