Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
One of the greatest joys of parenting that my wife and I have found is to watch our kids learn and grow in new ways. We saw when they were little that they wanted to try everything on their own. Maybe you're familiar with it. Maybe your own kids want the same thing. As they've gotten older, we've watched as this process has been so crucial for their growth.
When they're little, it's things like wanting to fill their own water cup up. I watched my son right now try to do that, and the water dispenser is above his head, so that creates a bit of a problem. He doesn't mind getting all wet, but I sure do when I have to come in and wipe the floor up.
Watching our daughter, who's a little bit older, try even more difficult things, whether it's riding her bike or tying her shoes, or even learning how to navigate difficult friendships. It's always hard as a parent to see your kid go through this, and the instinct is to want to jump in right away and fix their problems for them.
When you do that, you rob them of this learning experience, but I get it, and I hope you do too. It's frustrating when we try to do something new that we're not familiar with, that maybe is outside of our comfort zone or a little too difficult for us. We get frustrated and we just wish that somebody would magically take it away or get us to the other side with all of our problems solved.
God's Perspective on Trials
The Bible encourages us to view our trials and our difficulties in a different way. I want to read with you our verse today, Romans chapter 5, verse 3. The Apostle Paul says, we can rejoice too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
I want to ask you, how often do you look at your trials and respond with, "Praise God that I'm going through difficulties. Praise God for my problems. I love this." Probably not very often, but the Apostle Paul gives us this exhortation to rejoice in our trials, not because trials are fun, but because trials teach us something.
If you found a way to just face your trials without frustration, let me know your secrets. The reality is, most of us are going to have to grow in what's called endurance.
The Gift of Endurance
Endurance is the ability to push through even when things get hard. It is so good for us as people. It's this sort of endurance that makes us resilient and allows us to look at our problems and think wisely about our situations. It's this sort of endurance, as we go through trials, that ultimately pushes us to be completely dependent upon God.
I don't know what problems or trials you're facing today, but I do know the One who does. He's with you every step of the way. He's not giving you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Rejoice in your difficulties, because this is God teaching you to endure.
This is God perfecting you for your good and for His glory. Look around you at all of your battles that you're facing, all the struggles that you're going through, and remember that you have the One who gives you joy through the midst of it all.
