Faith in the Trials

Life is full of trials.  Each of our trials is different.  Each of our struggles is different.  And, how we respond to those trials and struggles is also different.

My senior year of high school, I lost my high school sweetheart in a car accident.  That was not a trial where I came out on top.  The course of that trial shaped my life and relationships for several years following the accident.  You see, in that trial, I stayed in the first part of the grief cycle.  I was stuck between denial and anger and moved like a pendulum between the two.  I had a firm foundation in my faith before the accident, but in 30 seconds of learning of Dustin’s death, my faith was shaken to the core.  It took me years to put the pieces of my shattered faith back together-to regain my footing, to trust that my God is a good God.  Instead of clinging to my faith-I ran-and I ran hard and far.

Now, 15 years later it’s another trial that I’m facing.  This trial is not a sudden death, but it’s still a loss.  There is no reprieve from infertility.  Each month you grieve and each month you hope.  But, what I’ve found as I’ve gotten older and my faith more firm is that it’s in the trial where God grows you.  It’s in the trial where you will find Him.  You see, precious one, we all have trials whether they be infertility, finances, divorce, separation, shaken faith, the death of a loved one, or something else entirely we all struggle, but it’s moving forward through those trials that will give us our greatest reward.  Yes, you may feel you are cursed.  You may sink into that childhood thought that “life isn’t fair.”  But, precious one, you are not cursed.  Do you know what James 1:12 says?

“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” –James 1:12

You see, precious one, you are blessed!  The Lord calls you blessed when you persevere under trial.  At 17, I could not see my way out of the tunnel of darkness I was in.  I did not persevere-I sank.  But, after years of fighting my way out I am determined to not return to that place-the place where my faith was lost.  So, in this trial I will persevere, I will continue, I will proceed, and I will endure.  I will move forward.

Because it is in the moving forward that the blessings will flow.

Our “crown of life” is our reward.  My blessings may not be of earthly measure, but as the verse in James says if I will persevere, I will be blessed.  So, in your trial even if you do not receive your earthly blessing, there is a far greater blessing waiting for you in Heaven.

God knows your trials.  He recognizes your struggles.  He sees your tears.  He feels your pain.  But, He desires you to remain faithful to Him even through the hurt-even when it seems impossible.  So, I challenge you to make a shift in your thinking.  Release the words cursed or unlucky, release the negative mindset with your trials and declare that you are blessed because you will persevere through every trial that comes your way.  Change your thinking and open your heart to receive the blessings that this trial can bring.

~Blessings

P.S. If you’re a fellow infertility sister, I’d love to hear your story and add you to my prayer list. Infertility is lonely in a world full of babies so, it’s nice knowing you’re not alone.

P.P.S.  If you’re in the midst of a trial, I’d love to hear from you and add you to my prayer list, too.  Your blessing will come.