I’ve seen myself do it. It’s too tempting to coast on yesterday’s faith when life is good and easy. Not that good and easy isn’t a gift — a “breather.” It is. And not that I ask for the trials. I definitely don’t. But good and easy often promotes a lazy faith in me. And a lazy faith doesn’t take me where my soul wants to go.
It’s when my faith is vibrant — clinging to God regardless of circumstance — that abundant life stirs deep within. I’m not sure why He made it that way. But that’s one reason He calls the challenges and the sufferings a gift.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4
When faced with challenges, we’re more prone to press into Him for wisdom and healing and hope. And when we spend time seeking Him, we find Him. And when we find Him, we find what our soul craves.
I know it’s a “craptacular” paradox on the outset — seeing the difficulties as gifts. But intimate communing with Him, when He’s our very breath and food, cannot compare to the “good and easy.” He’s that fulfilling.
Fill me, Lord…
How have you seen this paradox play out in your own life?
This is so very true. I find that I grow most in the stinkiest of times and then when I feel like I might have some sort of (imaginary) grip on my life I find myself falling back into laziness…thanks for this reminder.
“Stinkiest of times.” Yes. If only it could be the opposite: growing in the midst of the best of times. Blessings to you, Kristina.
I completely disagree with this post and find it heretical.
April Fool’s!
I can’t help but think of how Piper takes that answer to the first question in the (Baptist?) catechism and twists it. What is the chief end of man? “To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” –> “To glorify God by enjoying him forever.” And then I think of Psalm 37:4. And then I think… wow.
Stinkin’ blog post. Wouldn’t you know that yesterday wasn’t “good and easy.” I gotta be all real and prove that I mean what I say. Stinkin’ blog post. Ha.
Seriously, I love the way Piper emphasizes the chief end of man as enjoying God. Too often we replace Him with every other thing or person on the planet trying to fulfill that longing. When it’s for Him. Wow. Love to you, sister. Praying we delight in Him today.
Yes, THIS: “When faced with challenges, we’re more prone to press into Him for wisdom and healing and hope.” I see this at work in my life, day in and day out. I have waded through the storm of PPD and come out the other side, walked through the valley of two NICU experiences, faced the grief of losing three grandparents in less than three years…and yet, despite how hard and hopeless it felt in the midst of it, I saw how He used those dark times to draw me nearer and nearer to Him. I wouldn’t know Him the way I do without those trials.
What a testimony, Stephanie. I don’t wish for the trials, but He has proven that they can be a gift. Encouraged to hear how He faithfully ministered to you in the midst of such dark valleys. Love to you, sister.
When things are going well, after coming out of the fire so to say, I always miss the feeling of dependence on Christ. I want it all the time, but without the struggle. It is in brokenness, that I find Christ holding me….Life is full in those times. They are such sweet times. I totally get it.
I had a very strong sense of this today when I asked Him to take away a trial I’m enduring. As I was praying this calm came over me and said “Not yet”. I have to finish something first…I then proceeded to try to bargain with Him. I’m glad our Heavenly Father has a sense of humor.