There was seemingly no end in sight as the trials continued to pummel us. I lost count of the times that I cried out to God to spare us; to rescue us and others experiencing the excruciating emotional pain each week. But it just continued, the trials were relentless with seemingly no end in sight. Yet there were times when the eye of the hurricane would pass; times when God would remind me of his grace and his love. There were frequent times when dear friends would lift us up in prayer and the peace of God would suddenly be evident In the storm.
There is no doubt the suffering of the last few years has changed me. I cannot go back to the person I was before the storm blew through my life. Certain passages in scripture now resonate with me like they never did before my trials. When Paul writes about the thorn in his side in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, I can feel the piercing of the thorn and the torment that shook his confidence. I understand more fully Paul pleading for God to remove it. And I understand better that the Lord’s grace is sufficient, that God is made perfect when we are weak.
I have found that when I come to the end of myself and my arrogance, God can begin a new work in me for his kingdom. I am better able to rely on God for my strength to see me through the trials in life. Where once I did not understand James 1:2-4, I now know that the trials I face help me to persevere in my faith. The more I draw closer to Christ Jesus, the more I mature in my faith.
I feel I am only beginning to understand perseverance and how it is shaping me in my faith In Jesus. I am only beginning to appreciate how Christ can meet all my needs. Perhaps I am getting closer to the point where I can thank God for blessing me with trials.
© 2018 CGThelen
#Retrospective: This post originally published January 23, 2018.
140 Character Christian 
I love that – “when I come to the end of myself and my arrogance, God can begin a new work in me”. What a beautiful illustration of the process of letting go and losing ourselves to find ourselves in Him. It is probably interesting to look back on your past works as well. Still wise, friend! God bless.
It seems the more God peels back the layers of my facade, the more I find that needs fixing.
Yet when I look into my past, I can better appreciate the gradual progress I have made in my faith. We are all a work in progress. Praise God for his love and grace. May we lose ourselves in our Lord Jesus Christ.
I love that 🙂 Little by little as you say.
Thanking God for our trials, that’s a hard one to keep before us. Will be praying for you.
Thank you!
Amen
On Tue, Jan 23, 2018 at 9:24 AM, 140 Character Christian wrote:
> 140characterchristian posted: “There was seemingly no end in sight as the > trials continued to pummel us. I lost count of the times that I cried out > to God to spare us; to rescue us and others experiencing the excruciating > emotional pain each week. But it just continued, the trials were” >