Trials Will Come

It’s funny how we as Christians somehow get the notion that after salvation we will not have hardships…or at least that if we do have hardships, difficulties, and adversities, they will be minimal and relatively palatable. And it’s not as if someone was standing there at the gate of our decision saying, “Ahh, welcome to the easy life; calm and trouble-free from here, my friend!”  Actually, “smooth-sailing” could not be further from the truth. Trials do not go away upon salvation; indeed, to some degree, they may increase. Christ himself says, “ …In this world you will have trouble…”  John 16:33

Consider Mary and Joseph. Part of God’s plan to give His greatest gift to the world–His only Son! What a promise! But, it was not without difficulty–explaining the pregnancy, traveling far from home for a census, going into labor in a stable, having to escape to a whole other country because a king decided to kill this precious gift.

How about Joseph son of Jacob? God gives him a promise of leadership which would ultimately lead to sustaining God’s people during a time of famine. But, talk about hardship–his brothers end up hating him, selling him into slavery; he gets falsely accused of sexual assault, goes to prison.  And Esther? Beautiful, chosen as wife and queen by the highest ruler in the land. Adversity? Someone concocts a plan to murder and annihilate her people (which would include her); to intervene, she must do the forbidden and approach the king, which could, in and of itself, lead to death.   

Why do we believe that it will be any different for us? In the midst of God’s promises for our life–salvation, sanctification, purpose–what makes the hardships, difficulties and adversities worth it? The answer…the rest of John 16:33 in context… “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  In a nutshell, the peace and assurance Christ provides makes it worth it.

Today, remember…trials will come, but you have the promise of peace. The promise of confidence in Christ and all that He has done for you. Take the time to read John chapters 14-17 this week, and take heart.

–Katie Botello