So, later today, I’m going to need to get up a little earlier than my usual timing because I’ll be spending my day at the office. So, that means that I’ll be spending quite a bit of my morning commute being on the mass transit, which makes it a little difficult for me to write my next daily bread entry. So I decided that I would do it tonight instead (well, it’s already past mid-night, but you get the idea).

² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

James 1:2-4 [NKJV]

It does seem rather appropriate and timely that the Holy Spirit would want me to reflect on the whole idea of what it means to go through a serious trial-and-tribulation in our lives. The thing about experiencing these “trials-and-tribulations” is that it can happen any number of times throughout our lives. In a way, they are allowed to happen to us so that through that process, our faith and our resilience will be strengthened when we make it out onto the other side.

The best analogy that I could always think of is the purification process for gold, or any precious metals. First, it would have to been heated to 1,064 °C. That is quite literally the melting point for gold. You can google it. Now, the only reason that gold needs to be melted, is that the impurities within the ore can be separated from the gold itself. The final output would be pure gold, or what we are more familiar with 99.9999% pure gold. Well, the real process of refining gold is probably more elaborate. But this is just to make a point. So, please just go along with my analogy.

But that is what going through a trial in our lives is meant to do. A process to filter out and remove all the parts that we don’t want, so that we can keep the parts that are needed.

Never Meant to be Easy or Comfortable

Nobody that has ever gone through a serious trial in their lives will ever tell you that they enjoyed it. Nobody. I mean, how can someone that has lost their child, or parent say that it is easy. It is not. Even for someone battling a terminal disease will tell you the same thing. Going through chemo will be extremely difficult and challenging at times. Nobody is going to enjoy it, let alone like it. It sucks!

But those are not the only kinds of trials and tribulations that we will face in life. Throughout the span of our very short lives here on earth, we will experience trials and tribulations of different magnitude. Each one meant to show us, or teach us something. I honestly cannot be the one to tell you what that is. You’re going to have to bring that up with the man upstairs. But whatever trial we face, I do know that it is meant to strengthen us, and also strengthen our faith in the process.

I suppose the right way to put this is, it’s supposed to be hard. It’s supposed to be difficult. It’s supposed to make us question our faith at times.

And this is where I want to end my reflection for today. As I’m thinking about everything that I’ve suffered, and everything that I had to endure for the past two years of my life, I couldn’t help but think that God will somehow restore my life and make it better once again. And with everything that I am experiencing today, I like to believe that it is a sign that my life is finally on the mend. I’m still not totally free from my current troubles and challenges yet. But things are certainly moving ahead in the right direction.

Here is also something else that I now understand. Because this is like my 2nd major trial-and-tribulation in my life, I am mentally-prepared that this won’t be the last time that I face something really challenging and difficult in my life. The next one could be something entirely different. But I also know that God won’t just allow us to suffer for no reason. He always has a plan and a purpose. And I also know that once we have gone through the whole process, we will always come out better, stronger and even more resilient.

Personal Prayer for Today

Dear Heavenly Father,

I want to thank You for speaking to me tonight about what it means to go through another trial-and-tribulation in my life. Because this is the second one that I’ve experience in the last 8-9 years, I have also learned many incredibly important life lessons.

But what I am also thankful for is that through these trying times in my life, You have helped me to become a better man each time. You have used this period of my life to filter out and remove the parts that shouldn’t be there, while also retaining all the qualities and goodness that should remain in my life.

Thank You for reminding me that none of us goes through a trial in life for no reason. There is always a reason and purpose, even if we don’t understand it, or comprehend it at first. All we can do is to learn to trust that You will give us the strength that we need to get through it, and out on the other side.

As my life begins to mend and improve for the better. I pray and ask that You will constantly remind me so that I will never forget the lessons that these trials have taught me. I know that it is also because of these trials in my life that I have become a much better man as a result.

I vow to give You all the praise and all the glory. In Jesus’ name I pray.

Amen.