Within each trial is the wisdom we need to navigate through. I love to think about how it is set aside just for us. Proverbs 2:7 says “He stores up wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly.”
The profile of the upright is described in verses 1-6. The upright receives God’s word and treasures it. They incline their ear to wisdom and apply their heart to understand. They cry out for discernment and lift up their voice for understanding. They seek wisdom as one seeks silver, and search like for a hidden treasure.
Proverbs 3:15 says, “She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.” Trials have a way of removing the peripheral. Trials are like an essential oil. As the herbs are boiled down into an essence, so is our faith tried.
It is the rich insights, the wisdom, the enlightenment gleaned from our trials that become the essence that benefits others. 2 Corinthians 1:4 says, “Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
Trials develop character. They remove the dross that would tarnish our ability to reflect the Lord. Hebrews 4:15 says that the Lord sympathizes with us. Trials give us a depth of empathy that comes in no other way. As we share our ‘essential oil’ with those who are hurting, they know that we know. They experience that coming along side of compassion and true caring.
I take great comfort in Hebrews 12:11. It says, “Now 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.”
There is a purpose to all our trials. Inside that trial, we are given the privilege of unpacking His stored up wisdom. It is like seeking a hidden treasure. It takes diligent perseverance to reach the afterwards–the succulent fruit others can freely eat and receive nourishment for their trials.
M's Creations 