A WELCOME FRIEND

No chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. HEBREWS 12:11 Evaluating a trial as a joyful occurrence is something a Christian must discipline himself to do, because joy is not the natural human response to troubles. He must make a conscious commitment to face each trial with a joyous attitude. Paul was a prisoner in Rome when he said to the Philippians, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice…. I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (4:4, 11). He had learned to be content and rejoice in the midst of trials. That’s not something that happens by accident. When you see a trial coming, take on an attitude of joy that comes from anticipating the perfecting work the Lord will do through it. We must have a decisive conviction that we are going to face trials with a joyful attitude. It is the joy of one who counts it a privilege to have his faith tested because he knows the testing will draw him closer to the Savior. Then a trial will become a welcome friend.