Daughter in Waiting Ministry

I felt blindsided when I realized I was experiencing trials one after the other. This was the primary reason I stepped away from my relationship with God in 2019. I didn’t get why I was so targeted. I didn’t get why God wasn’t doing anything about it. I didn’t grasp that trials were very much a part of the Christian walk so when they occurred in my life, it threw me off balance. Trials tested my faith then and still do now.

“Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Mark 4:3-9

Many Christians – including myself – undergo or have undergone trials that if we’re not careful enough, can cause us to leave and resent God instead of leaning on the One who can and will help us through them. In Mark 4 or Luke 8, Jesus goes on to explain the Parable of the Sower.

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

Luke 8:11-15

Farmers first spread the seed on the ground. Then, they plow their field. They won’t know how good the soil will be until the seed spread on top is turned over into the soil and later produces the intended results. Jesus used this illustration to teach us that the seed – the word of God – is spread for us all. But, the good soil, the one to produce the intended results, the one to produce a good harvest, our hearts, will depend on us and how we welcome this seed. 

The parable informs us that there are four types of soil or heart postures we can fall under. The first is a hardened heart or soil. A soil that won’t allow the seed to grow. Because of this hardened heart, anyone, including forces of evil, can come and alter their perspective on the word of God. Whether a bad church experience, bad preaching, bad experiences with other Christians, or other negative circumstances, ect., this heart simply won’t believe and won’t even let the seed in. The seed has no effect on this soil. The second type is a soil that joyfully receives the seed. It has a warm reception to the word of God. But, this heart draws away from God because of a lack of understanding, a lack of time spent with God, a lack of relationship or connection with the trinity, trials endured. What starts out as a bright fire quickly dwindles and eventually extinguishes. In 2019, I was on this rock. The third type is the type that understands the word, follows the word, but the passions of life become greater than their want or desire to follow God. Although God promises these riches to His children, they’d rather do it their way. The last type is the type that walks with God, follows the word, and patiently allows for the seed to turn over. A soil that produces harvest. 

Instead of looking at the Parable of the Sower with dread or fear, I believe we can be empowered by it. We have an advantage when we see ourselves in each of these soil types, because the walk of a Christian should be lifelong. There were seasons of my life where I doubted God existed. There were seasons where my experiences and the trials I faced caused me to resent God. There were seasons where I was thriving so much that I pulled away from Him. I didn’t care to build a relationship with Him. All of these seasons, experienced in the different soils of my life, led me here – an increase in faith and a greater connection to God. When we recognize the type of soil we fall under at any given time, we can use the word of God to move forward towards good soil. We can pray that God helps us produce a harvest.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4

Trials aren’t fun. Trials aren’t joyful. The trials I’m facing today are frankly scary. I can’t begin to understand the full scope of the spiritual world or even understand what God is doing, but I can personally attest to this: the seasons of my life, the various trials I’ve gone through, grew my relationship with God and I never would have predicted this years ago. I think the apostle James tells us to count it all joy because of who we’re counting it joy for. The soil might change, our heart posture might change, but God doesn’t change (Hebrews 13:8). The same God who brought me the victory in previous trials of my life is the same God who will bring me the victory in the current trials of my life. Romans 8:28 tells us that God works all things out for good on our behalf. The question is, do we believe it? Do we believe that even through this trial, God will work it out for good?

Daniel believed it. The book of Daniel is a great biblical example of someone going through trials with the heart posture James called us to have in the scripture above. Daniel didn’t coward down in the trails he faced. He was strong and courageous and he took God at His word. It didn’t matter how intense the trials got in his life, Daniel always put his faith in God. And every time, God gave him the victory.

My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

Daniel 6:22-23

The trials in Daniel’s story increasingly got worse yet Daniel never stopped trusting God. Let’s consider Daniel’s journey:

• Daniel and his three friends (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) are captured by the Babylonian army and lived in captivity in Babylon (Daniel 1)
• They are placed under a sort of scholarship program under the ruling of King Nebuchadnezzar. This program allows for Daniel, his friends, and others to have a certain luxury, but they’re required to eat what the king eats which goes against what Daniel could eat. Daniel requests that he and his friends eat vegetables instead of the ‘defiled’ food the king was eating – a dangerous request. But the king honors Daniel’s request and God blesses it as well. He also blesses Daniel with the gift to interpret dreams and visions (Daniel 1, Daniel 2).
• Following this blessing from God, Daniel’s life is under threat because he seems to be the only one that can interpret King Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams; dreams that no one wants to have to interpret. Daniel seeks God for the interpretation of the dream and God answers him (Daniel 2). 
• Following this, Daniel’s friends are forced to bow down to the babylonian gods and worship them. They refuse and are thrown into the fiery furnace. God delivers them unscratched. King Nebuchadnezzar ends up praising God for His victory and miracles performed (Daniel 3).
• Daniel interprets a second dream. King Nebuchadnezzar praises God again (Daniel 4).
• A new king, King Belshazzar, rules Babylon and is impressed with Daniel’s gifts. He gives him a high position in office (Daniel 5). Others grow jealous of Daniel’s gifts and blessings and seek to take his life.
• They coerce the new king to sign a mandate forcing all in their land to pray and worship the king only. Daniel doesn’t. He continues to pray to God and is placed in the lion’s den as a punishment to execute him. Once more, God saves Daniel. The king bows down to God (Daniel 6).

What a life! When I read Daniel’s story, I can’t help but ask myself if I could ever stand strong like that. Many of us would have fallen away by year two of Daniel’s life. And it all relies on the kind of soil we have and are aware we have. Any trial I face, small or big, that has the potential to draw me away from God is just as dangerous as being put in a den of lions or a fiery furnace. How often do we allow the trials of life to harden our hearts? How often do we allow ourselves to become compromised instead of holding firm in our faith? Daniel’s story teaches me how to persevere through the trials with a praising heart. 

James tells us in his book that trials bring steadfastness therefore strengthen our faith. Have you noticed how the greats in this world seem to have gone through a lot of trials and perseverance to get to where they are? Daniel’s book shows us that trials can also bring fortune, blessings, and a higher rank or status. But what about those trials that are experienced and perceived to be all for nothing? What about the trials that don’t bring victory, status, steadfastness to the human eye? I would do my post a disservice to not mention those trials faced by millions of people around the world whose lives – when observed – seem gloryless. Devoted Christians who are enduring trials day after day without relief. I have asked myself, where’s the glory of God in those trials? My faith grows when I don’t hold back on asking these questions to God. It’s not enough to simply go through the trials, why must we? 

And the truth is, I’m still wrapping my head around all of the answers. Yes, trials have a way of growing our faith. Yes, sin entered creation. Yes, our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rules, authorities, powers of evil that are ruling this world (Ephesians 6:12). Yes, God is glorified through these trials and has already given us the victory on the cross. But, why must it really happen this way? Will anyanswer ever truly bring us peace on this side of eternity? I think that’s the challenging part of following Christ that the body of Christ can shy away from discussing. If you find yourself also wondering this, please continue to bring your thoughts and feelings on the matter to Him and lean on His word. Because His word tells us this: the one who is least among you will be the greatest (Luke 9). There are many who won’t see the status, the blessings, the riches, the perceived glory on this side of eternity yet there is reserved for them a higher seat (James 2:5). Can we hold firm to this when our lives on earth are nothing but a bleep compared to the rest of our time in eternity?

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

Romans 8:18-19

Apostle Paul held firm to this. He understood that the trials he faced in the present time couldn’t compare to the glory of God. From doing prison time for preaching the gospel to the thorn in the flesh he lived with most of his life, many around Apostle Paul didn’t perceive God’s favor over him let alone God’s glory (Acts 28:4-5). Today, we know almost 50% of the New Testament was written by him which makes him one the prominent contributors of the bible. He never ceased to share the gospel or to grow his faith. Every inch of the earth he traveled to, in the midst of his trials, had purpose. Even getting shipwrecked to the ‘random’ island of Malta had its purpose (Acts 28:9-10). The book of Acts is filled with that purpose. One can read the entire book of Acts and be strengthened in this truth – God is always working and He’s above all.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

When farmers plant seeds, they can take months to produce a harvest. God’s work in our lives may take months to produce results in our physical reality, but it doesn’t change the fact that He’s working in us and through us. Our Christian role is to be like Daniel and Apostle Paul. We’re encouraged to keep a trusting heart towards God by strengthening ourselves in His word, His guidance, by continuing to build a relationship with Him. We can always have peace knowing that God is working on our behalf.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7

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Here are some verses to meditate on this week:

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Hebrews 12:1-3

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Ephesians 6:10-13

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

1 Peter 5:8-10

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:31-39