100 Days of HopeSample

Joyfully Accepting Trials

In most cases, human instinct is to seek not only safety but also personal comfort. A good deal of time, energy, and money are spent to avoid all kinds of physical pain, emotional anxiety, and mental stress. Additionally within one’s local culture, educators, family members, the media, and even sometimes brothers and sisters in Christ may serve to reinforce this instinct.

The problem, however with this kind of thinking is that according to Scripture sufferings, trials, discouragements, and obstacles are to be expected in the Christian life. In Hebrews 10, we see that instead of shrinking back, early Christians confidently and “joyfully” faced public “insult and persecution” and the “confiscation of ... property.” These were not occasional occurrences but were rather standard for followers of Christ.

What was their secret? How could these people ignore their own instincts and essentially embrace real physical pain and emotional persecution? The answer is simple but compelling: They were fully convinced of their reward. They realized that momentary trials couldn’t begin to compare to the riches that lay in Christ. Knowing who Christ was allowed them to let go of their instinct and to persevere in the face of trial.

Prayer: Father, give us your grace and teach us how to joyfully accept trial. We ask you to give us the strength to trust you through suffering. Please show us what it means to be fully convinced of our eternal reward.