Encouragement and Trials by Kirk Wellum

This morning in chapel our registrar, Keith Edwards, gave us a very encouraging exhortation from Galatians 3. In his presentation he mentioned something that his mother would say to him as a boy, something to the effect that God will always give us enough blessings to encourage us and enough trials to keep us humble and dependent upon him. As I listened I was impressed with this gem of motherly wisdom because we need both encouragement and humility if we are going to fulfill God's calling on our lives in a way that meets with his approval. Without timely encouragement we will lose momentum and sputter our way into discouragement. But without challenges that make us look to God for help we are wise in our own eyes and useless when it comes to accomplishing anything of lasting spiritual value. Encouragement keeps us from despair and obstacles make us grow in the Lord and his strength.

One does not have to look far in the scriptures to see this principle worked out in the lives of God's people. The Lord schools all of his children in this way, including his choice servants. People like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob immediately come to mind, as do others like Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, Daniel, John, Peter and Paul. Beyond the Bible, church history is replete with examples of God leading his people step-by-step, challenging them, but never giving them more than they can handle. Knowledge of the ways of God can make the whole process much more transparent, and while all the mystery of God's will is not evaporated, we are given reasons to trust his leading each step of the way.

HT: http://redeemingthetime.blogspot.com