In seasons of dealing with real challenges over the past few years, I began to try to gain proper perspective by asking a couple of questions in the hard moments. Is this situation a true tragedy or is this really just an inconvenience to me? There are some very devastating things in life but am I reacting emotionally to less-than tragic thing as though it is tragic? In other words, what is at the heart of my reaction to this circumstance – is it truly something to lose my peace over or is it a challenge that’s requiring me to change somehow? Most of us really loathe change; we’d much rather keep the status quo because it doesn’t really require much of us…deeper still…it doesn’t require us to really trust God because we’ve got it under control ourselves. Why do we need great faith when we never face any trials? And when a true trial comes – those 2 simple questions can help us gain proper perspective; i.e. let’s take a minute to breathe and rise above our emotions and properly assess the situation. A grand majority of the time it’s an inconvenience that we have to decide how to trust God to give us the answers and wisdom and grace we need to make the changes necessary to succeed at what we’re here to do. What about you? Do you need to ask yourself those questions in some of your challenging circumstances right now? And what if the unimaginable does come to pass? We have a God in heaven who is fully able to walk with us through even the hardest circumstances and worst tragedies of life. 1 Peter 1:6-9 contains a truth we need to grasp…may it be that if and when our faith is tested by fire that it proves genuine.
6 You rejoice in this greatly, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials. 7 These trials are so that the true metal[a] of your faith (far more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire) may come to light in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Messiah Yeshua. 8 Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. And even though you don’t see Him now, you trust Him and are filled with a joy that is glorious beyond words, 9 receiving the outcome of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:6-9