Facing Trials Part 3

4. Personal experience

I am eons away from being fully mature and complete in my faith, however I have definitely had the privilege of seeing the truth of James 1:2-3 play out in my short life. Over the years, I have faced various hardships and trials. From those of my youth including losing pets, learning to make friends, learning to be subject to my parent's authority, making good grades...to more serious ones such as losing a loved one, going through hard break-ups, persevering through an intense grad school program, a close relative losing a job undeservedly, losing connection with friends (for various reasons), and being unmarried.

Again, my trials are miniscule compared to the trials of some others...yet God has graciously used those trials in my life to continually mold me into a better servant for Him. And I am so incredibly thankful that He is no where near finished. Each trial/test makes me stronger in Him by magnifying my weaknesses and His power. Every time I face something new, I am better able to rely on Him and see His power manifested a little more. While in the moment I could not understand why I had to endure certain circumstances...I have seen God grow me in some pretty cool ways when I am open to Him. I have become more patient with others and am able to see the good in them more quickly, able to stay more positive in difficult situations, trust in God's plan despite the circumstances, and be thankful for the blessings in my life. I am so thankful for these aspects of growth...but we're just beginning to scratch the surface with these attributes as I have a lot of growing to do!

I know that this process will never cease in my lifetime, as I can never attain a flawless Christlike character here on earth. But I am so thankful that my Father in heaven will never give up on me...diligently and patiently scraping off my rough edges to shape me into the woman He wants me to be. <3

5. A couple other Bible verses...

1 Peter 1:6-7: In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Romans 5:3-5: Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Hebrews 12:5-7: And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?