“Trial by Fire”
By
Amy Peterson
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life. James 1:12
Last winter while visiting a natural history museum in Colorado, I learned some remarkable facts about the aspen tree. An entire grove of slender, white-trunked aspens can grow from a single seed and share the same root system. These root systems can exist for thousands of years whether or not they produce trees. They sleep underground, waiting for fire, flood, or avalanche to clear a space for them in the shady forest. After a natural disaster has cleared the land, aspen roots can sense the sun at last. The roots send up saplings, which become trees.
For aspens, new growth is made possible by the devastation of a natural disaster. James writes that our growth in faith is also made possible by difficulties. “Consider it pure joy,” he writes, “whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2–4).
It’s difficult to be joyful during trials, but we can take hope from the fact that God will use difficult circumstances to help us reach maturity. Like aspen trees, faith can grow in times of trial when difficulty clears space in our hearts for the light of God to touch us.
Let’s pray-
Thank You, God, for being with us in our trials, and for helping us to grow through difficult circumstances.
Our Charge-
Trials and tests can draw us closer to Christ.
Matthew 12:34 You brood of vipers! how can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." Proverbs 16:28 A perverse man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. Proverbs 17: 9 He who forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter alienates a friend. Leviticus 19:16 You shall not go up and down as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand forth against the life of your neighbour: I am the LORD. Proverbs 26:20 For lack of wood the fire goes out; and where there is no whisperer, quarrelling ceases. 22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. Proverbs 11:13 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing hidden. Psalms 34:13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Charles For: Frien...
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