Truly Glad

No one likes the thought of enduring trials. When you think of trials or suffering, as some other translations say, what do you think of? Do you think of it with trepidation, wondering what God might make you go through? Do you remember trials you have faced in the past and think, “I never want to go through something like that again”? Or do you remember a time when God has helped you in trials you faced, and you realise that your faith and trust in God grew through that time of suffering? Maybe you are thankful that God got you through it, but you never want to have to face anything like that again!

We have all had to face things in our lives, that we would consider trials or suffering, when things did not go how we would have liked them to go. But maybe you think it isn’t worth thinking of as suffering, because it doesn’t compare to the degree of suffering that someone else has gone through. Or maybe you had abuse in your family as you were growing up and you just thought it was normal, so you didn’t think of it as suffering. Whatever the situation, suffering is real.

When I read the verse above and it says, “Be truly glad!”, I have to stop and ask myself, “Can I be truly glad about facing trials?” I am glad that God promises to be with me through every trial. I am glad when He brings me through, and I have a wonderful testimony for His glory. But am I really glad about the trials?

I have heard it said that, if you don’t have a test, you won’t have a testimony. I can say that in my life the best testimonies I can share to encourage others come from the times when I have been tested and God has shown Himself faithful.

So, be truly glad? I’m still working on that. But I have found that it is easier when I take my focus off myself and put it on Him. Today, I want to encourage you as well as myself. Let’s look to God and ask Him to help us be joyful through the trials.