It has been said that eagles are one of the few creatures that like storms. That is because eagles know if they approach an opposing wind at the right angle it will carry them higher. Trials can take us higher when we approach them the right way.

        In James 1:2-4 we are exhorted, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Do we feel joy when new trials come? Are they making us “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing”?

        If we would resolve to approach every trial every day, even the smallest challenges to our patience, and especially those smallest trials, as the Scripture exhorts, how much more could we grow in Christ and demonstrate Him to a world in continual crises?

        Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (see John 16:33 NKJV). Everyone in this life will go through tribulation, and contrary to some teachings, following Christ does not exempt us from troubles, and will even add some. However, Jesus guaranteed these would result in our good. We cannot live victorious lives without battles, and the bigger the battle, the bigger the victory.

        If we believe God’s Word that He “always leads us in triumph in Christ”(see II Corinthians 2:14), how can we not have joy when facing battles? What keeps us from the joy that is our strength (see Nehemiah 8:10) is when we view our battles from an earthly, temporal perspective instead of a heavenly one. When we view them from the Lord’s perspective, as we are seated with Him in heavenly places, we are assured of victory and honored to be chosen to fight for our King.

         At the end of this age, we have been called to fight the biggest battle between light and darkness the world has ever known. In fact, we are already in this battle. When we get to our eternal reward and get to meet the great saints of old we have so looked forward to meeting, we will be surprised at how many of them have longed to meet us who have served at the end of the age and have fought this last great battle. To live and remain faithful in these times is one of the greatest of all honors. That is why “many who are last will be first,” and why Jesus saved the best wine for last.

        Everyone will go through tribulation, yet most find no greater purpose in tribulation than to get through it. The Christian is called to have a much higher purpose in tribulation by using each time as an opportunity to become purified, prepared, and strengthened for the King’s use. As Peter wrote, the testing of our faith is more valuable than gold (see I Peter 1:7). Do we view each new trial as we would a bag of gold?

        The apostle Paul wrote in I Corinthians 3:10-15, the fire that burns the wood, hay, and straw also purifies the gold, silver, and precious stones the Lord is using to build His house. In some ways, the Christian life is meant to be filled with fire and challenges which will purify and prepare us to become the “living stones” of His building. We should also know His fire does not consume what is useful, only what is not.

        As Jesus said, the end of this age will be the worst tribulation the world has ever experienced (see Matthew 24:21). If we have been chosen to live in such a time, it must be because He has chosen us for a high purpose. There is no way to avoid tribulations, so why not make the best of them? The mindset of an overcomer must be this: never waste a trial.

        The biblical prophecies concerning the end of this age also declare it will be a time of the greatest glory the Lord will ever reveal through His people. It will also be called the time of His parousia or “presence.” Psalm 16:11 tell us, “In Your presence is fullness of joy.” This will also be a time when those closest to Him will experience more than simply joy but “fullness of joy.” As we get closer to Him, our lives will be filled with increasing joy, until we experience joy to its fullest. Is that the case in our lives? If not, now is the time to correct this.

© 2023 Rick Joyner. All Rights Reserved.