We live in an “instant” and “fast-food” age. People today expect everything to happen quickly, and technology is aimed at making things work faster. Because of such an impatient mentality, we rarely find the value in waiting for a specific work to complete its full course before we can enjoy its fruit or result. Even as I type these words, there’s this worldly reminder to keep things short for fear that some may not read a lengthy material. Some things need to go through its perfecting work in order to bear fruit. We may neglect this value of “waiting” when it comes to human or mechanical efforts. But, when God is the one working in our lives, may we not have this impatient attitude towards His “work” of perfection in us. This is especially true in moments of “trials” that God allows us to go through. Expecting a trial to rush by may mean an unfinished or imperfect result. So when trials persist, let’s not faint or lose hope. Rather, let’s patiently and joyfully endure them in view of the potential fruit that will bear through His Holy Spirit when they are finished.

It might be of some comfort to know that the One sending trials our way is also in control of them. Since the beginning of Creation, God has been working sovereignly in the lives of His own people through “a series of orchestrated events”. Some realized it, while others didn’t. May we not overlook God’s power and sovereignty in the midst of our own trials. May our trials lead to brokenness, which is not a sign of weakness. It’s an avenue for God to shape His character in us. Let’s hope to be refined by our fiery trials, and come out shining as gold to the eyes of our Maker.

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.