Trials: Discipling Your Kids Through Tough TimesSýnishorn

Part of why younger generations struggle to believe that trials are good may be because they don’t understand why they’re good. It’s not because pain itself is intrinsically good; rather, it’s because the destination to which God invites us through trials is abundant life, both now and in the future.

Today’s Scripture is the story of two ends. The first is the end of the rich man, who goes about his pursuits and has a focus, destination, and purpose. Yet he is met with humiliation in the end. Why? Not because he seeks too much for himself, but too little. He seeks for fulfillment through things that perish.

In contrast, the second is the end of the poor man who remains steadfast in trials. In the end, he’s elevated and described as “blessed,” meaning fortunate because of God's provision. Because he sought after the intangibles—not comfort and riches but rather endurance and perseverance—he is met with exaltation in the end.

God promises that those who are steadfast will be richly rewarded. But the reward is not what we typically think. Though our translations use the word “crown,” the Greek actually describes a wreath or garland. This difference is crucial: A crown is passed on from one person to the next, whereas a wreath is earned, merited by Olympic athletes who endure much in their pursuit of victory. The wreath signifies achieved prestige, rather than being a symbol of one’s heritage. Unlike salvation, the crown/wreath of life can only be earned (which Jesus gives us the power to do).

A take-away lesson for teens is that trials are good because suffering is the doorway to life. This destination of life transforms how we view pain. Rather than being something to avoid at all costs, it becomes something to learn to endure and conquer. Not only has God given what we need to do so, He more than compensates in the future: He esteems us, values us, and grants us dignity and life.

It’s comforting to know that in the cross, Christ endured full abandonment that we might never know one second apart from the Father. He was disowned that we would be owned. He was forsaken that we might be loved. The wreath of life is one picture of that depth of love.

Ask your kids: If you picture the best life you can think of, what does it look like? How do you achieve such a life? Do you think anything good can come from going through hard times? If so, what?