by Ms. Anastasia Rebello
2 Peter 1:10 -11: Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Last week you had a teaching on Call to Holiness and this week a teaching on Call to Self Denial, Suffering in a Disciples life. In nutshell we can call it “The Purpose of Trials” No matter how successful we are, we all face challenges, struggles and times when things don’t go our way. When calamities occur, some people immediately think they have done something wrong and that God is surely punishing them. We do not understand that God has a divine purpose for every challenge. He doesn’t send problems but allows us to go through them.
Why is that? The BIBLE tells us temptation, trials and difficulties must come, because if we are to strengthen our spiritual muscles and grow stronger we must have adversities to able to resist and overcome. Moreover it is through tough times of life that we are able to know what stuff we are made of. The pressures we deal with at these times are:
- Wrong attitude
- Wrong motives
- Area we need to compromise
As odd as it may seem Trials can be beneficial. Moreover it is through trials of life that we are able to know what stuff we are made of ( We prove what METAL we are made of just as Gold is tested in Fire, Human Character in the Furnace of trials)
1 Peter 4 v 12 tells us “Dear friends don’t be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering as something strange was happening to you. But rejoice that you participle in the suffering so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed”
In other words when you go through trials it is intended to test your quality, test your character, test your faith. All through life you will face various tests even if you don’t enjoy them. God will use them to refine you and shape you into what He wants you to be. If you will learn to cooperate with God and be quick to change in the area he brings to light, then you will pass the test and you will be promoted.
Being a Christian Can Be Painful! An evangelist once remarked that “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pain; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” Today’s sermon is about suffering, trials, and stressful experiences.
TEST OF FAITH
Story of Abraham :We all know the story of Abraham but I would like to share it. He began his life in Ur, later they moved to Haran and at the age of 70 God ask him to go to Canaan. At 70 most of us would be thinking of retirement. In Abraham’s old age God blesses him with a son whom he later asks to sacrifice but at the last moment God provides him a Lamb at the altar of sacrifice. But Abraham’s faith did not waver at any point. Therefore he is called the Father of faith.
I have discovered in the struggles of life, God is more interested in changing me than my circumstances. I am not saying God will not change the circumstances. Certainly he does. I’m often tested in areas where I’m the weakest.
You may have something similar, if you have a problem with jealousy; it seems tough when you meet with people who have better possessions than you do. Your best friend wears a brand new outfit, person who hardly works makes more money then you, drives a better car. Your long lost relative calls to say he has won a lottery. Guess how you feel?
Are you going to pass this test? Are you going to keep a good attitude and rejoice sincerely? Or are you going to tell God I worked harder? Nothing good ever happens to me. I go to church every Sunday… I attend prayer services. That is the test of your faith. God brings all the impurities to surface so that He can bring to light the impurities in our character. Gold id tested in fire and Human character in the furnace of trials.
Some situations that we face daily
When you go to restaurant, the waiter delays in taking your order
At home when your wife is getting dressed
When your children are getting ready for school
God deliberately uses situation such as these so that I can recognize the problem in myself and learn to deal with it. He is working something out of me so I can rise to a new level and help me be the person He wants me to be. In the same way God will use people in your life. Your husband, wife, you’re in laws, your children, the unwritten mirrors to reveal something in us.
I can’t stand the boss
I can’t stand this women…clumsy, can’t cook well….
It may not change until you start appreciating her with a better attitude.
The kids are driving me nuts
GOD IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE ANYONE UNTIL HE FIRST CHANGES YOU
God is not going to change anyone until he first changes you. But if you quit complaining about everyone around you and instead take a good look at yourself, God will work. Examine our heart and see if there are attitudes and motives we need to change.
Stuck in a traffic jam…. Tolerance is one virtue that works. We have to stop trying to be in control of situations. Perhaps you are going through a trail and praying that God deliver you out of the negative situation. That is legitimate prayer, but you are missing the point why you were allowed to go through this trying time. Recognize that God wants to do a work in you. He is moulding you and refining you. But you are busy trying to evade the difficulty; the work is not being done. You are so focused on your circumstance and all the people around that you haven’t taken a deep look inside yourself and deal with issues God is bringing to light.
You are so worried and full of fear. Stay cool calm and collected. Put your trust in God . We often pray God change the circumstance then I will change. You may not always like your circumstances, you may run from it even resist it… but it will be brought again until you pass the test.
WORK IN PROGRESS: Have you seen the Metro work that is going in our city for the last couple of years. Its work in progress , It will get ready someday. We too are work in progress
Ephesians 2 v 10 We are God’s workman ship. We too are work in progress, it is not finished. One way or the other God is going to get his way. God is the potter and we are the clay. When struggles come our way stay calm cool and collected. Our challenges become our biggest assets.
Example: Exporting Cod fish: Some people tried to export cod fish, first they simply froze the fish, it lost its taste next they decided to keep the cod fish fresh they brought it in tanks… matters worst because they became soft andmushy. One day someone decided to put a cat fish in the tank. They are the natural enemies of the cod fish…. to survive they had to stay alert. Amazingly when it reached its destination the fish was fresh and tasty.
The trial you face is a test of your faith character and endurance.
Instead stand strong and fight the good fight of faith. God is giving you the opportunity for a promotion. It is the struggle that gives us the strength. Without opposition or resistance there is no progress. Without resistance in air, an eagle can’t soar, without resistance in water a ship cannot float, without resistance of gravity you and I cannot walk.
Yet our human tendency is God we want everything easy and comfortable. There are no short cuts to mature physically, emotionally or spiritually. Work out your own salvation. Salvation is more than a onetime trip to the altar; it is constantly working with God and keeping a good attitude while he brings you to victory.
Example: Some years ago bees were sent on a Space mission. They enjoyed the ride but did not survive. Bees were never meant to go through life without using their wings, not having resistance. In the same way you and I were never made to float through life through flowery beds of ease.
When you go through trials make sure you pass the test. Don’t be stubborn and hard hearted. Recognize God is refining you, knocking off some rough edges. God has called us to be champions; the victory will definitely be ours because he is on our side and final destination is our Eternal home. Every test we pass brings closer to reaching our final destination. Amen