Dearest Reader,
Maybe you are like me? - I had spent much of the first part of my adult life running away from difficulties - all those situations which I could not work out, unblock or when people were unkind or unhelpful! So why am I now saying - 'Welcome all trials and difficulties' ?!!!
I want you to imagine a child learning to crawl - then walk. Luckily they don't have a 'mature' brain so they don't give up because they encounter difficulties!! They master crawling (in what ever way they manage it) then they see the possibility of standing and walking. Do they give up when they fall over... maybe for a few seconds - but they are more intent on the purpose - and 'what shall I try next?' than remembering the falling. And they finally master walking - on smooth ground - then on the grass - and now, like my great grandson he walks at least part of the way with his parents when they go hill walking. Does he fall still - yes but he gets up again. The falling over is part of learning - growing and discovering inner resources, and external help that encourages them to grow and keep going.
OK dear Reader, lets look at us. When trials hit us, as adults, we often find them difficult because we don't anticipate or expect something that is 'adverse' to our will, our well-learned habits, and the pattern of our life. This is why we get angry, and we judge other people for essentially challenging 'our way'. We want to, at least subconsciously, imply that the other is wrong. But are we SO right - or just 'self righteous'? I have had to challenge myself again and again - when anger or bitterness emerged when I was hurt or my will ignored, but I remembered Christ's words from the Cross - and how could I do anything except say 'Father forgive them they knew not what they do'...... But as I let my mind open-up in any trial by turning to God - I find I am given Spiritual Strength, greater Understanding, Humility, and courage to Persevere - and in persevering in new ways I find my 'world' bigger, and I am purified in some mysterious way.
And dear souls I invite you to remember what Jesus says when a scribe said he would follow Him wherever he went, 'And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” I suggest that this not only means not having a permanent home, but also, it means He was constantly 'open-minded' and did not presume to have fixed 'thoughts' except His Faith and Hope in the Father- and Trust in His provision.
Jesus trusts in the Father and acknowledges He does not know 'times nor seasons' and we see Him frequently challenged, and changed, by the people who came to Him, or by what the Father caused Him to experience. And He did not get distressed but, like when John the baptist was beheaded, He went into the mountains to pray. He was not 'head-strong' but Heart Strong and in His humanity and need, turned to God in prayer....even in the Garden of Gethsamane. In all things He desired God's will.
~We know Jesus said 'do not judge' and we too need that purity of heart of Jesus, and Mary; and we need, in all circumstances to be 'gentle and humble in heart'.....and always trusting the Father. If we live like this - in gentleness and purity of heart - we will have the Holy Spirit to guide us without fear - whatever trials or difficulties come our way - because our heart is trusting in the Father and His provision, and we are not blocking our mind with judgement, 'self-righteousness' or self protection. Thus all trials lose their 'heat' and self-centredness and we can hear what God is saying when we turn in prayer to Him.
And we pray for the world, not allowing current trials, with temptations to despair, to defeat our trust in God. So we continue to allow the work of the Holy Spirit to lead us each day in Wisdom and Love, seeking obedience to His Spirit and moving beyond our 'comfort zones' into the Arms of Love Divine. And we welcome all trials as a means of coming closer to God in His Wisdom and grace.
Come Holy Spirit of Trust. Come Lord Jesus. Amen