Life can be difficult. This week, two very good friends of mine both received very challenging news. What do we do about trials that we encounter in our lives, whether it be a delay in travel plans, car difficulties, or the death of a loved one? How does God expect us to respond? And how can we know whether the difficulties are God’s punishment as a result of sin in our lives or simply the trials that James tells us to expect as believers.
In the midst of any difficulty, the most important thing is that God receives glory. We were created for God’s glory, so naturally everything that we do, say, or think should bring him glory as well. Whatever the reason for our trial, we must examine ourselves carefully to make sure that we are where we need to be spiritually. Is there sin in my life? If so, I must deal with it. Perhaps God is chastising me as a good Father. Truthfully, though, we may never know the reason for the trial we are facing. Who are we that we should expect to understand God’s ways. His ways our higher than our ways. Romans 11:33 states, “Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways?” I, for one, am thankful for a God that I cannot fully understand. If I, a mere human, could understand him completely, he would no longer be God. A god of my own making is no god at all.
Romans 11 concludes with a wonderful statement: “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever.” Nothing happens to us that God is unaware of. Nothing happens to us that God has not allowed. Nothing happens to us that God does not prepare, equip, and enable us for. Nothing happens to us that God cannot receive the glory for. What an incredible comfort that should be to me! May the prayer of my heart be that he receives the glory no matter the circumstance!
