God wants to transform us into the image of Christ. And he will regularly put us in trying situations to do just this, with very real risk and consequences. But this live-fire training demonstrates his trust in us, and his willingness to walk intimately with us throughout life. We’re being tested to mature in our faith.
Of course, we like the idea of growth and being entrusted to effectively rule the domain God has given us. But we tend to be less keen on the process of becoming. Yet we school and discipline our kids out of our love for them. And God does the same for us. He wants what’s best for us and so allows us to be in situations to call out this more.
For instance, when we’re struggling at work or even when our business fails, this might be God pruning us to become even more fruitful in his kingdom. Our intense disagreements with our wife might also be God calling us to grow in holiness and deeper in our love for each other. Likewise, God might be expanding our soul when the desires of our heart seem to go unfulfilled.
Whatever it looks like, we’re taken to our edge and often have to experience some type of death. And death by its very nature is not pleasant. But from the ashes something new emerges – a faith refined by fire. An initiation is perhaps another way to see this.
The point is not to suffer merely for the sake of suffering, but to be changed for the better because of what we’ve been through. And learning to see our struggles and setbacks as a type of training gives it meaning and gives us a confident hope as we do.
In the end, don’t lose heart as you face the difficulties of this life. This is often God training you for greater service in his kingdom.
