Some rambling thoughts about trials in our life and how we respond to them. Do they impact your prayer life? Have they changed you?

When you encounter a trial, at the end of it, do you experience –

Thankfulness to God or just relief?
Praise to God or happy that you can just move on?
Repentance for the sin in your life or feeling like you just dodged a bullet?
A closer relationship with Jesus or just back to the status quo?

The latter feelings are something that you would expect from non-Christians, but do I catch myself reacting that way too? I see that behavior in people that have no relationship with Jesus. It is easy to say that my very first thought will be thanksgiving, praise, and repentance. But the Holy Spirit has to remind me that I am not of this world, but just passing through.

I also have to remind myself that the valley of the trial itself is as much a blessing as the mountaintop that I am on after the trial is over. If God wants me to go through the valley, it is because it will bring me closer to Him. My only request should be that He gets me where He wants me to be.

It was knowing this, that caused Paul to sing hymns when in prison. It is this knowledge that should change the very nature of my supplications to God. If I am “Always praying for the Glory of God”, then that means I will want to grow with joy through the trials that He has in store for me.

Jesus, help me to keep the proper perspective with your plans to grow me into your likeness. Give me joy in the valley as well as the mountaintop. May my only request be that I trust you in all things. Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God,