Life is hard. No duh, Danielle. Everyone at least at one point or other in their life has felt the pressure of hardship and wondered why we face adversity. Many feel that it's just because it's part of living, and shrink from the idea of God because they feel that a loving God would never hurt His children. Others feel all our struggles are results of sin, and therefore are punishments, and the righteous have no troubles. Some even feel that we are merely pawns in a cosmic game, carelessly pushed around for the entertainment of some unseen, uncaring power.
What if I told you that I believe troubles, trials, hurt, fear, pain, adversity, are all opportunities and proponents of change? That these difficult decisions and moments can become catalysts that propel us into becoming whatever we choose to be?
Paul thought so, too. Paul had a LOT of hard things in his life, especially when he was trying to do his best. This man of faith was imprisoned, beaten, threatened with death, hated by his countrymen, mocked by people in high places and never really had a place to call home. And yet, he said trials were more precious than gold (1 Peter 1:7). He continues to say that (verses7-9) "the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." Trials try, improve, and provide a way for us to test our faith.
Because this life is an opportunity to test and improve ourselves and choose what we want to be, there are problems as numerous and unique as the people in it. Some problems arise simply from the fact that we make mistakes. Others may be from the mistakes or choices of others, or other things we can't control, like the circumstances we are born to, or the shifting environment around us. As diverse and varied as they all are, we all share the opportunity to rise above them. The Atonement of Christ can help with that.
Paul compares us in our trials as being metal in its refining process. One of my favorite instances of this idea is in 1st Corinthians 3(: 10-23). Faith, like all other skills, needs to be tempered. Precious stones and metal only become their strongest after years of pressure, heat, and beating. But when they get through, they become something incredible strong and pure. In verse 13 Paul says "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is." We learn slowly, and with a lot of opposition, but if we remain resilient we can become incredible. If we trust Him, and allow Him to work in us we will be enabled to do ALL things. Philippians 4:13 says "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
I'm inclined to believe against a popular phrase - life IS fair. God knows us all so well that He knows exactly what is the best for our growth. We are not exactly the same, so why should our challenges be the same? He is our Father, and a perfect being. Things happen for a reason, especially trying things. We are not destined to be what others say of us, or to be defined by when or where we were born. We are defined only by what we do with what is given us, the good and the bad. We choose our own destiny, and through the help of God, we can be truly great. Sometimes this means we must struggle - but how would we know how strong we are if we never had to fight against difficult things? How would we ever learn?
As for those who ridicule you, chances are that they themselves are struggling against something, and pointing out your weaknesses makes them feel better about themselves. None of us have acheived perfection - that's why we're here.
Marianne Williamson wrote:
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.' We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
(A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles", Harper Collins, 1992. From Chapter 7, Section 3])
Trials are here to help us make manifest that glory of God that is in ALL of us. He will help us get there - all we have to do is follow Christ's example and keep our faith bright and strong.
God speed!
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