Triumph through Trials

Excerpt from His Princess:

I see you when you are in the garden of grief, My princess. I hear your cry for help in the dark hours of the night. I myself cried out in the garden the night I was betrayed. In My suffering I asked My Father for another way -- a less painful way. Yet I trusted His will and purpose for My life and knew the ultimate victory was at the cross. Just as olives must be crushed to make oil, I poured out My life as a love offering for you. Don't ever doubt that I am with you and that I long to take you to a place of comfort, peace, and victory. Even when you cannot see Me from where you are, I am working on your behalf. Give to Me the crushing weight of your circumstances, and come to Me in prayer. When it is time to leave the garden, I will walk with you across the valley and straight to the cross -- where your trials will be transformed into triumph. Love, Your Savior and your Victor.


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JAMES 1:3-4
For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when our endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.

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It's so hard when we're in the middle of our trials to remember that they are for our growth and education. I often cry out to God asking why does it always seem to have to be so hard??? Why can't anything just be easy for once??? But he gently reminds me as he brings to my mind all the difficult things I've already gone through and how they have strengthened me along the way. I don't want to be a wimpy Christian, never having had my spiritual muscles flexed. Just like in a physical workout, so it is true in a spiritual workout -- no pain, no gain!

There is no escape from the cross. We have to bear our cross if we are to follow Him. No trial for the present seems pleasant, but if we endure... oh, we must endure! I want to be ready for anything. I have not arrived at that place yet. I still moan and groan during my trials. I don't accept everything with a smile and a thank you to God. I fuss and have my fits, cry, sometimes scream... then I come to my senses and ask Him to forgive my selfishness once again, and help me learn what I need to know from this test so I can pass it and move on!

I don't want to make it sound like the Christian life is all hardship and grief! Oh to the contrary! Even with all the trials, there is so much good! Joy unspeakable, peace that is beyond my understanding, a growing love for people I can't really stand... Like I said, I'm not there yet but with the Holy Spirit as my Helper, I'm coming along.

I sure can't wait for heaven! I know it will be worth all that we suffered in this life.