Snapshot 2: Rejoice in trials Romans 5:3

      In the picture above this turtle sunning in the sun has found himself stuck on a clump of mud. Frantically moving all legs and trying with his whole might, he was unable to get off and swim away. You can tell he's been there for quite awhile because his shell is completely dry. Who knows maybe he took a nap, and wasn't aware of the trouble he was in and woke up stuck. Eventually he was able to jump off into the water, only because he didn't give up and persevered to get himself free.

     We too run into problems and trials that are out of our control in this life and  everyone goes through them. A lot of times they come when it seems like everything is going well in our lives, then all of a sudden a difficult trial happens. In Romans 5:3 problems and trials can also be translated tribulations from the Greek word "thlîpsis" which means pressure (literally or figuratively):—afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble. That means this verse describes real hardships, not just minor inconveniences.  

     So why do we face problems and trials? When we become Christians we are not promised a problem free life. Frequently the opposite happens. As followers of Christ we still have suffering and trials and often times more. Jesus says in John 16:33 "In this life we will have tribulations...". God allows these things to happen to us because they help us draw closer and rely on Him. 

     Secondly, trials produce  endurance. Paul says in Romans 5:3 that "We can rejoice when we go through trials and tribulations because they develop endurance". Endurance is the ability to keep going when we feel like stopping, as long distance runners train themselves to do. In this context, endurance is about our ability to trust God for longer stretches of time and through greater degrees of difficulty.  

     With the condition I have, there have been many difficult trials that I have gone through. I often wonder why I have to go through these things. The actual pain and suffering is not pleasant and I don't like it at all, but I can rejoice that the Lord allows it to happen because of the good it does in my life. It helps me endure because I trust and rely on Jesus Christ and I know that He will get me through these trials.   

     We don't seek trials and search out tribulation, but when they do come we can know that God loves us and carefully measures every trial. He has a loving purpose to accomplish in every tribulation. 

 

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4

  

Picture taken at Gilbert Riparian Preserve  Gilbert,AZ 

Camera: Nikon d3300. Lens: Tamron 150mm-600mm 

Camera Settings: f/11, 1/50sec. ISO-100, 250mm focal length