Why I’ve Learned To Value The Painful Trials Of Life

But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. — 2 Corinthians 1:9b

KABOOM!

Wondering what caused the crash, I ran to the window. Completely unperturbed by the sound, my husband peacefully scattered corn for the deer who grace our property. Seeing nothing amiss, and nothing to explain away the sound, I went back to my daily routine. 

The next morning, as my husband reached into our bathroom cabinet, shards of broken glass fell at his feet. One of the glass shelves had shattered, leaving chaos and debris behind. Evidently the boom I heard had been the sound of the shelf breaking. The solving of one mystery invoked another: What caused the shelf to suddenly shatter?

A quick Google search told me that the edges of tempered glass are often damaged when cut into smaller pieces. This damage can’t be seen, but as time passes, different temperatures cause the glass to expand or contract. Eventually, the stress causes the damaged glass to spontaneously shatter.

At times I’ve watched my life shatter like the tempered glass of my shelf. On the surface all looked well. I experienced success in my career, had plenty of friends, and loved my family. But without even realizing it, I grew confident in my own abilities and talents. In the course of time the trials and pressures of life exposed my weakness and fragility ~ and my carefully crafted life fell down around me. I wish I could say this has only happened once. But unfortunately, over the years of living as a disciple, the Lord has often needed to remind me to depend on Him. 

Sometimes the most challenging times in our relationship with God happens when life is good ~ because we stop seeing our need for Him. God warned the Israelites that when they had settled down in the promised land and became prosperous, their hearts could become proud and they might forget Him (Deuteronomy 8:10-14). He reminded them of their need for Him with these words:

You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. (Deuteronomy 8:17-18 NIV)

It’s so foolish for me to think that by my own power I can achieve the abundant life He promises. Thankfully, He allows my life to fall apart when I need to see my need for Him. 

The Apostle Paul shared how he learned this lesson in his second letter to the Corinthians. He described the troubles and pressures he endured on the mission field as beyond his ability to endure (2 Corinthians 1:8). But then he added these words:

But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. (2 Corinthians 1:9b NIV)

I believe God has allowed me to fall down several times in my life because I needed to be reminded to look up. Because when I look up, I see the God who is faithful to His people and His covenant. I see the God who raises the dead. Nothing is impossible for Him and only in His strength can I do all things (Philippians 4:13).

Lord Jesus, it’s so easy for us to forget our need for You and to begin depending on ourselves. Thank You for sending us the trials and pressures of life so we remember to look up and see Your faithfulness and power. May we always remember to rely on You and not on ourselves. We pray this in Your name. Amen.