What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger

By Paula Williamson, guest writer

Humans like to fling one-liners. Many aren't true, but this one has some truth. Scripture does not teach that we will be exempt from trials, but that God will walk with us through them. Trials are painful to our flesh and are meant to put it to death. As children of God, we are to live by the Spirit, not the flesh. Trials can kill pride, selfishness, and many unbecoming traits that do not resemble a child of God.

It Is Written

JAMES 1:2 -4 Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into

various trials. 3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.

Letting Go

Holding on to offenses, troubles, traumas, and trials only makes us angry, bitter, unforgiving, resentful, negative, and rebellious. We can choose to forgive, release, and let go. We can choose not to be a victim of circumstances. When I trust God, He promises that good will come from trials, but I must be willing to release them to Him.

Prayer

Lord, help us lean into You during trials and seek any insight You may be trying to teach us. Help us not to grumble and complain as the children of Israel did for forty years in the wilderness. You led them in that direction to teach them how to wage war so they would be ready to take the Promised Land. 

Takeaway

Trials produce endurance.