by Cindy Phillips
We are told to “count it all joy” when we are going through trials (James 1:2). The Lord illustrated this to me recently in my flock of young chickens. When the chicks are hatched and under their Mama’s care, she teaches them obedience first. They learn to obey her calls to come to her for protection. She acts as their protector until they reach about 8 weeks. At that point they are on their own. From there they need to identify dangers for themselves.
Sometimes an attack from a predator that they survive is the very best teacher of all.
Of all the things James, the half-brother of Jesus, could teach us he starts right in with this thought that trials should be faced with an attitude of gratitude. What?!? YES! It is trials that bring about patience! Trials perfect, or mature, us. We GROW through trials. That young chick that survives a hawk attack becomes the BEST protector (danger identifier) of the flock.
I am in awe of God as I watch Biblical principles illustrated in the natural world. We are all the product of the lessons we learned in our past. When we allow trials to have their way in us, when we allow them to teach us and grow us, we are moving closer and closer to Christlikeness. Jesus faced many trials. Who are we to think we should be exempt? Trials are not fun but when we face them with the knowledge God’s got our back and no trial comes to us that we can’t bear (1 Cor 10:13), we can truly be joyful that the end result will bring God Glory.