Finally, after five weeks of enduring an ongoing case of the hiccups, Jennifer Mee is now hiccup-free! After all the good old remidies said to stop the hiccups failed, and after numerous trips to a variety of specialists (including an infectious disease specialist, a neurologist, a chiropractor, a hypnotist and an acupuncturist - all of whom were left mystified as to how to help Jennifer) - the hiccups went away as mysteriously as they had arrived. It was just after waking up yesterday morning that Jennifer noticed that she was not hiccupping any more! Finally!!!
Trials we face in life are a lot like that. They come - often unexpected and unexplained. They tend to outstay their "welcome" (as if we ever gave them one!). And the vast majority of trials will eventually go away. Now, if you are like me, you don't like trials. Because it doesn't matter what shape a trial might take, I'd rather pass! But as much as I dislike trials, I have grown to appreciate them. Am I crazy? Out of my mind? Nope. I have come to realize that without trials in my life and the suffering they bring, I would not be the person I am. Trials are God's divine instruments through which he matures our faith and strengthens our character. That is why James tells us to "consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of various kinds." Why? Because as James points out trials produces perseverance in our lives which will adds in a huge way to our growth as Christians (See James 1:2-4 and Romans 5:3-5). So the next time you face a trial, a "hiccup" (or worse) in the pleasant flow of your life - rejoice. God is at work. And when you pray, don't ask God to remove the trial (because all you are doing is asking him to remove you from his divine classroom!). Rather ask God to help you through the trial, teaching you whatever it is that you need to learn!
Praying with you,
pj
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