How to Kiss the Wave
He delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ears by adversity.
—Job 35:16
A trial period is a business term referring to a span of time that a consumer can use a product and has the option to return it if they are not satisfied. Don’t we wish our trials had a “trial period”? Wouldn’t we send those seasons of pain back if we could? Can’t we trade our sorrows for a better offer?
That’s not how God’s plan of sanctification works. God isn’t interested in saving us then instantly taking us to Heaven. He desires to build us, break us, and bless us so that through all our circumstances we progressively look more like Jesus. We have a totally paradoxical understanding of pain if we trust God: we are delivered from affliction by affliction and we are more in tune with God during adversity that in times of ease.
There is a quote attributed to Spurgeon: “I kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.” It isn’t easy to say that unless you know that God is using trials to make you better—in fact, they are bringing you closer to Jesus. One day we will trade our trials for everlasting rest but until then, don’t miss where the waves of God’s providence are moving you.
Blessings.