Enduring in Trials

Shalom, happy Sabbath! 

Are we currently facing trials? If so, then remember what James said, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (James 1:12 – KJV)

So, if we experience trials, try to always think that we have to endure because those who endure will receive the crown of life. Why are there trials? What is the purpose? There is an interesting explanation from the Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing Book about this. Let’s read together. 

“The trials of life are God’s workmen, to remove the impurities and roughness from our character. Their hewing, squaring, and chiseling, their burnishing and polishing, is a painful process; it is hard to be pressed down to the grinding wheel. But the stone is brought forth prepared to fill its place in the heavenly temple. Upon no useless material does the Master bestow such careful, thorough work. Only His precious stones are polished after the similitude of a palace.”

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing 10.3

So, those trials can clear the defilement and roughness from our character. Our character is being cut, shaped, chiseled, and polished. It all hurts, but it is the only thing that can erode the roughness of our character in order to be worthy of being in the kingdom of Heaven. 

Because “None can enter heaven whose characters are defiled by the foul blot of selfishness. Therefore, God tests us here, by committing to us temporal possessions, that our use of these may show whether we can be entrusted with eternal riches.” (Counsels on Stewardship 22.1)

May the Sabbath blessings be a part of all of us. Amen.