Why the Test & Trial Lord?

Paul withstood the tests that came at him while he was active in service to the Lord and he understood the tests that came during his times of solitude while in captivity. (2 Corinthians 11:24-28)


Our trials are great opportunities for growth and maturity, but all too often we simply see them as large obstacles we need to overcome.  Often we want a quick rescue or fix to the problem.  


If only we would see every difficult situation as something God has chosen and allowed in order to prove His love for us and to mold is into His image.  


So, how does God want us to respond when circumstances become hard or difficult?


1.  We choose to trust God is at work.


Someone who I highly respect (Graham) often says, "God allows in His wisdom what He could prevent by His power".  In all seasons we walk through as a leader, God is moving.  He is working to not only advance His Kingdom through us but He is also working to mold us and shape us into His likeness.


"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."  2 Peter 1:3 NIV

• So, what is the trial before us today?  
• What is the circumstance that is spinning us into fear, worry, or anxiety? 
•  If this trial is being allowed to happen then God must be up to something?  Like Job, God must be doing something behind the scenes.  
• Are we choosing to trust Him no matter what our day or our circumstances brings? 
• Are we willing to still ourselves in order to see and hear what God wants to reveal to us through the circumstances?

"Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?"  2 Corinthians 11:24-28 NIV 

• Do we know what fruit of the Spirit God is weaving into our character through these trials?  
• Love?  patience? long-suffering? joy? peace? humility? meekness?
• What is lacking in our hearts due to our present circumstances?  
• Faith? trust? confidence?

I know for me, being in a season of waiting on the Lord concerning ministry is showing me that I lack joy.  I can have a tremendous amount of joy when thrust into the midst of ministry; when I am actively building the kingdom of God.  But in seasons of waiting and in seasons of solitude (or what feels like captivity) I find that I lack joy and trust in God's timing.  I lack the heart that "rejoices always".  


God is allowing our circumstances for a variety of reasons.  We must choose to trust Him and His goodness towards us,  We must look deeper to see the work God is desiring to do in us and through us.




2.  We choose to surrender to the Lord and allow the season to do it's work in us.


No matter what trials are around us, we have to move towards complete surrender to Him and to His will.  We must come to a place of knowing and understanding what God is desiring to do in us by allowing our circumstances to prevail.  This way we can cooperate with His Spirit, and the work of transformation that He desires to do in us.


We must come to a place of surrender, as Job did, when he said, "though He slay me, yet will I put my hope in Him".  This is the place of surrender.  To where we lay down the fight and the struggle in our hearts.  Where we see those difficult people as ones God has placed into our lives as grace growers.  To help mold us into the image of Christ.  We must stop fighting the process and allow God's Spirit to transform us. (I am saying this to my own heart too)!


"Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him."  Job 13:15 NIV


This is the place where we bow down in our hearts and say, "not my will but yours be done".  We all have a tendency to want things our way.  It is part of our fallen nature, our desire to see things done the way we think they should be done. But in reality, if God is allowing circumstances to prevail, then we must ask the hard questions:

• God, what do you want to do in my heart?
• How do you want me to respond like you in this?
• How can I bring represent you well in this circumstance?  

We must learn to move in the opposite spirit to those trials if we are to become like Him.


So often, God's will runs contrary to our thoughts, our ways and our perceptions.  Often the path to His will, involves suffering, pain and persecution.   Our flesh wants it the easy way, without struggle, without difficulty, without any relational conflict.  But, this is not necessarily God's way.


"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.  Isaiah 55:8 NIV


When Jesus was preparing to go to the cross, a place of intense pain and suffering, Peter wanted the opposite for Jesus.  I am sure Peter in his heart wanted what was best for Jesus.  However, it was not God's will.  God's will for Jesus was for him to suffer, to die so that we all might be saved.  God's way involved suffering and a cost (Philippians 3:7-11).


One of the things that often bothers me when I hear people teaching on destiny and calling, is they often tell people to go serve in the areas they are most gifted and passionate in.  However, I have seen these people miss an important element in their teaching.  God's will and obedience.  At times, God asks us to serve or to give in an area of our greatest weakness.  At times, God asks us to lay down everything we love or want to do for the sake of Him and His Kingdom.  He asks us to do something that is so contrary to what we desire or want.  This involves discerning of His will and surrender.


Surrender to God's will is a daily thing.  Daily we must get on our knees and profess with our mouths "not my will but yours be done", and we must walk through the challenges of our day and allow God to use them to mold us into His image. 

We must allow that fruit of His Spirit to weave it's way into our hearts; where we become more and more like Him.


For me, this season of waiting on God's plans and purposes means the weaving of joy into my heart.  That no matter where I am, nor what season I am in, my heart is overflowing with joy because I am His beloved daughter and He is always pleased with me.  Both in failure and success, and in times of active service and in times of solitude, His goodness always surrounds me.  And in Him, I can rejoice always!


"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"  Philippians 4:4 NIV

• So, where are you lacking in trust?  
• Where are you struggling to surrender? 
• What fruit of the Spirit is God trying to weave into your heart through your trials or those difficult people in your life? 
• Do you see your circumstances and trials as an opportunity for growth?
• Or are you fighting and just want to be rescued?

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."  Galatians 5:22-23 NIV






Lord,


I pray for your leaders everywhere, that you would strengthen them and prepare them to do what you've called them to do.  For those leaders who are weak and overwhelmed by their circumstances or trials, God help them to see your hand in it, and help them to know what it is that you are desiring to do.  Give them great wisdom to know how to respond to the tests that assail them.  Both the tests that come in active service to you and the tests that come in captivity and solitude.  Lord, speak to your leaders and guide them.  Help them to lead others well.  To lead with transparency, authenticity, humility and love.   In Jesus' name, Amen.