My radiation/chemo treatments have begun, and will continue for six weeks. Like an uphill climb, I can hardly wait until “after this is over.” Of
course looking forward to the “other” side of a trying circumstance is natural. But
with no guarantee there won’t be another one right “after,” we
need more than an “after-this-is-over” mindset.
Paul tells of
a host of saints who endured their trials without ever seeing the other side of it: “Having obtained a good testimony through faith, [they] did not
receive the promise. For God had something better in mind..., so that they
would not reach perfection without us” (Heb. 11:39-40). The “perfection” of their faith waited until after all of us together would find our faith fully perfected in the suffering and resurrection of Christ.
And
therein lies the secret to enduring hard times—by keeping our eyes on Jesus..., who perfects our faith; and who, for the joy awaiting him, endured the cross, disregarding its shame, [knowing that afterward], He would sit at God’s throne (Heb. 12:2, edited). Now if we can just remember this
“beforehand.”
Whoever said “there are two things in life you can count on: death and taxes,” forgot about another sure thing: trials! This side of Heaven, each of us will go through trials. But there is a purpose to our trials: they are for TESTING our faith. And though tests are a normal part of life, still we are surprised and disturbed when they show up, intrusively and unannounced! And while in the middle of one, we imagine it will last forever, but it will not; there is always an AFTER!
“…no one should be disturbed by these trials; you know quite well that we were destined for them …For it has been granted to us, on behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for Him…so don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you…knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance…you need endurance so that AFTER you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise…of course, we know that no trial is enjoyable while it is happening—it is painful, but AFTERWARD there will be a harvest of peace and righteousness for those who have been trained by it… therefore, AFTER you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”
(Paraphrased from 1 Thess. 3:3: Phil. 1:29; 1 Peter 4:12; James 1:3; Heb. 12:11; 1 Peter 5:10; Heb. 10:36)
Let us pray for God’s strength to endure until He brings us into our AFTER. (Maybe we really can live happily ever after!!)
