Hope from the bottom of the pile.

James 1:12
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

I’ve had lots of trials in my life, from addiction to financial to relational. It took me a long time to find Christ even though he was sitting with his arm around me all the time. There has been a whole lot of collateral damage caused by my actions during my trials, and most of my trials I caused. Not that I intended to, but that’s what happens when selfwill, selfcentered, selfishness, ruled my decision making process. There are some people I haven’t been able to make amends to though I hope one day I can.

Trials will come and trials will go. We’re told to ask for wisdom in v5, to let perseverance finish its work in v4. “It’s not every man who suffers, that is blessed; But he who with patience and constancy goes through all the difficulties in the way of duty. Afflictions cannot make us miserable, if it be not our own fault. The tried Christian shall be the crowned one. The Crown of Life is promised to all who have love of God raining in their hearts. Every Soul that loves God, shall have its trials in this world fully recompensed in the world above, where love is made perfect.” Matthew Henry’s concise Bible commentary.

When we invite Christ into our hearts, we are changed, there is no doubt about it. If there’s no change, there’s no God in your heart. However, that change comes with trials. That change comes with paying the dues we need to pay for our actions prior to accepting Christ. Then, Christ will add on other trials to build our faith, to strengthen our weakness, sharpen our iron.

Radiate in the trials that God sends us because it can only be for the good – no evil will come from God. Humbly about the consequences, no matter how delayed, for your life before Christ and respond to them in faith, in a Christ like manner.

At the end of the day, what we do here on earth matters, what happens to us here on earth doesn’t.