One of the names Jesus introduced Himself with to the church in Smyrna was, “the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive.” He was telling a persecuted church, “Nothing you are going through is outside My control, and I have passed through the worst and come out victorious.” When persecution or pressure comes, the devil’s first lie is that you are alone and that your problem is peculiar. The Bible says, “that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire (1 Peter 1:7),” is meant to end in praise, honour and glory. God sees your tears, your secret insults, the mockery you swallow quietly because you have chosen to stand for righteousness. He knows when people misinterpret your obedience as foolishness. He is not an absent Father. He is the first and the last, and He is standing inside that fire with you.
You must begin to see trials as part of the training programme for a fruitful Christian life. Many of the things you hated when you were younger are what God is now using as stamina for your destiny. Every destiny has a cup of suffering. The church in Smyrna suffered because they were doing what God wanted, not because they were careless. Israel would never have left Egypt if Pharaoh remained friendly; it was the hostility that made them cry for freedom. In the same way, God sometimes allows people around you to change so that you will stop enjoying slavery and start pressing into inheritance. Do not waste your trials. Instead, tell yourself, “This pressure is adding something to me. It will end as praise, honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”
Stop envying people who seem to have no battles.
Some children of wealthy parents are weak because nothing has ever stretched them. Some children of poor parents are strong because life has trained them. If God has allowed some rough roads on your journey, gather the strength, faith and experience from there and pass the spirit of courage to your own children. Refuse to define yourself by what you suffered; define yourself by the God who brought you through it. As you stay in vital union with Jesus in the fire, keep obeying Him and keep your heart tender, those same trials will become the fertiliser that makes you bear much fruit in life and destiny.
THOUGHT TO PONDER: What adjustments do you need to make so that your present challenges become platforms for deeper intimacy with Jesus rather than excuses for compromise?
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, open my eyes to see my trials the way You see them. Deliver me from self pity and complaining. Work in me the heart of an overcomer that learns, grows and bears much fruit in every season, in Your name. Amen.
BIBLE IN A YEAR:
Genesis 44:1-45:28; Matthew 14:13-36; Psalm 18:37-50; Proverbs 4:11-13
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