Grow Through Them

Perhaps this has happened to you: you swing through the drive-thru to pick up a meal, and when you get home it's not what you ordered! Your first thought is to drive back in a fury (too time-consuming) or call and complain (what's the point). This pretty much summarizes how many Believers face difficult circumstances" Lord, I didn't sign-up for this! God says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4). Few of us pray for troubles to come our way but God knows troubles are often exactly what we need to grow spiritually. The purity of gold is brought forth by intense heat; likewise, genuineness of trust in God is revealed. The method God sometimes chooses is certainly not what we ordered - we much prefer the predictable, comfortable and pleasurable life! Will we, however, trust the grace God sends our way [to grow us into His image] or take a number in the complaint department? God says endure troubles to the "praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" in us (1 Peter 1:7b). Shamefully I admit, the troubles I experience don't display praise-glory-honor of Christ. While we may not ask God for troubles, we can fully trust Him with them. Why not set aside our first response to troubles and ask for grace to joyfully ... grow through them.