In today’s Sunday School lesson, the main topic—or at least,
what I mostly got out of it—was
trial.
Often, we simply think of a trial as something that tests
our faith or ability; something that is difficult to bear, but—if we bear it
successfully—will ultimately make us stronger somehow.
The Merriam-Webster online dictionary provides further
insight into the meaning of the word trial, and its several definitions can
certainly be applied to our lives in a spiritual sense as well as temporal
(italicized words are my own; bolded are for emphasis):
1a: the action or process of trying or
putting to the proof : test b: a preliminary contest (as in a
sport) A trial is an opportunity to
prove myself.
2: the formal
examination before a competent tribunal of the matter in issue in a civil or
criminal cause in order to determine such issue What more “competent tribunal”
can we have than Christ?
3: a test of faith,
patience, or stamina through subjection to suffering or temptation; broadly: a source of vexation or annoyance
4a: a tryout or experiment to test
quality, value, or usefulness — compare clinical trial
b: one of a number of repetitions of
an experiment Am I valuable to God? Am I
useful?
During today’s lesson/discussion, the following passage
also came to mind, from 1 Corinthians 10:13--
There
hath no temptation ataken
you but such as is common to man: but God is
faithful, who will not suffer you to be btempted
above that ye are able; but will with the ctemptation
also make a way to descape,
that ye may be able to ebear
it.
I do not
think it inappropriate, in this context, to substitute the word “tempted” in
the above scripture with the word “tried,” and “temptation” with the word
“trial.” Temptations are trials: trials of our faith, trials of our discipline,
trials of our love for Christ and our Heavenly Father to want to overcome
temptation in order to become closer to our Savior.
So, what I
get from this is that I will never be given any trials in life that I cannot
overcome with the help of my Heavenly Father. Trials are best viewed, not as
hardships or annoyances that I would be better off without; but rather, my trials
should be viewed as an opportunity for me to prove myself, to prove my faith,
quality, and worthiness before the Lord.
It is a well-observed fact that every man or woman in this
life experiences trials. It is also a well-observed fact that every man or
woman experiences very different trials in mortality. Some people’s lives seem
so trial-ridden, complicated, and downright devastating, that it’s a wonder to
me when I hear some of these people share the trials they’ve been through, and
to realize that they are still optimistic about life, that they feel fulfilled
and happy, that they still love and trust their Heavenly Father. I only hope I
can come out as strong if I ever go through half the trials these people
have been though. But, that’s just the point: these people were tried, and they
passed the test; their value and usefulness were tested, and they were found to
be worthy, good and faithful servants.
My trials are tailor-made for me. Whatever has befallen in
the past, whatever I’m going through now, whatever trials might arise to test
me in the future—none of it is random. God knows exactly what I am capable of
bearing. He also knows exactly what trials will allow me to demonstrate my own
unique gifts, to strengthen my own unique weaknesses, to reach my maximum
potential and growth, to become a “profitable servant” before my Lord. And if I
know what’s good for me, I will welcome those trials with open arms, with a
heart and mind in tune with the Holy Spirit to guide me and comfort me along
the way.
If I want to be a faithful daughter, if I want to be a
worthy servant, if I want to be the best I can be, I will never shrink away
from my trials. Rather, I should say “Bring it on, life. There is nothing you
can do to me that I can’t face with the help of my God. There is no challenge I
might face that will not make me stronger.”
Bring it on!
Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part:
My trials are tailor-made for me. Whatever has befallen in the past, whatever I’m going through now, whatever trials might arise to test me in the future—none of it is random. God knows exactly what I am capable of bearing. He also knows exactly what trials will allow me to demonstrate my own unique gifts, to strengthen my own unique weaknesses, to reach my maximum potential and growth, to become a “profitable servant” before my Lord.