In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, beingmuch more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love.

- 1 Peter 1.6-8

Wonderful compassion of the Creator! He permits us to be in need, that He may show His mercy by giving to the needy. He permits us to be tempted, that by aiding us in our temptations He may turn the hearts of His servants more fully to Himself. He permits His followers to be cruelly tortured that they may delight more fully in restored health.

  - Jonas, Life of St. Columban, Irish, 7th century[1]

These are trying times. The economy is iffy. International tensions are increasing. The moral climate continues its deliberate tailspin into absolute relativism. Atheists and other opponents of the Gospel are more vocal and visible than ever. The country is divided, and people are angry and afraid.

And it’s the beginning of flu season.

Sooner or later some trial or test is going to show up at your door. This will give you a glorious opportunity to see how faith really works, and to show your faith working to the people around you. Because the way we handle our various trials and temptations speaks volumes about the reality and vibrancy of our trust in Jesus.

Growing through trials – rather than being buried or sidetracked by them – requires that we engage certain disciplines with more focus and determination. When trials come, whatever the form, the first line of defense must be thanksgiving (Phil. 4.6, 7).

We don’t necessarily give thanks for the trial but in it, and that’s an important distinction.

By giving thanks in all things we acknowledge that, despite what we are facing, God is still sovereign, still remembering His covenant with us, still doing all things well, and still working all things together for our good.

No, we may not be able to see into the workings of that, but that’s not the point. Job couldn’t see it either, and his insistence on being able to understand his trials was almost his undoing. Rediscovering the sovereign God in the midst of his trials was Job’s strength, hope, and peace.

God knows what He’s doing when tests and trials engulf us. The important thing for us is to acknowledge that, which we do by giving thanks. Then, when we’ve sincerely thanked Him, we’ll be able to rejoice in the face of our trials (Jms. 1.2), a joy that anticipates whatever good thing God plans to show us about Himself, do within us, or accomplish through us as a result of this trial.

This is how Jesus was able to endure the cross and despise the shame for our redemption, and it’s how we’re meant to grow through trials as well (Heb. 12.1, 2).

So the more we give thanksgiving at all times, and for all things, the better prepared we will be to offer thanks and praise to God, and thereby to know the peace that passes understanding, when we find ourselves in the midst of serious trials (1 Thess. 5.18).

No one ever found peace in the midst of trials by grumbling, whining, complaining, or looking for someone to blame. Peace comes by resting in the sovereign goodness of God, and the key into that resting place is thanksgiving.

And when we respond to our trials with patience and thanks, the hope that fills our souls will show through in our faces and demeanor, and shed a little spiritual light on the people around us.

Are you ready for whatever test may come your way today? Get your thanksgiving muscles in shape, friends, and exercise them day by day. The peace that accompanies your obedience will glorify God in a multitude of ways.

Psalm 103.1-6, 10-14, 21, 22 (Old 100^th: All Creatures that on Earth Do Dwell)
O my soul, bless the Lord’s great Name! His many benefits proclaim:
He pardons sins and heals disease, and from the pit grants us release.

With mercy rich and steadfast love He satisfies us from above,
Revives our youth, works righteousness, and justice serves for the oppressed.

Our sins He from us casts away; He shows compassion every day.
He knows our frame, that we are dust, so on His goodness let us trust.

All you who serve Him, bless the Lord, all you who heed His righteous Word!
Let all throughout the cosmos whole, unite to praise Him with my soul!

Disciplines for times of trials
The disciplines we need when trials come can be called provisional disciplines. We only need them occasionally, but we need to have them at the ready, so we drill them continuously when we’re not in times of trial, so that they’ll be in good working order when we are. You can download a brief and free study of these provisional disciplines by clicking here.

As you pray…
Would you prayerfully consider helping The Fellowship? Take a few minutes today and ask the Lord whether He would have you share with us regarding the financial needs of this ministry. God supplies all our needs, and He does so through friends who share our vision and benefit from our ministry. It’s easy to give to The Fellowship of Ailbe, and all gifts are, of course, tax-deductible. You can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

T. M. Moore, Principal
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All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.