The first time someone asked me if I was okay, I was caught off guard. I went into prayers and broke down in tears before God. I realized I was wearing my struggles on my face, letting them consume me. It was time to shift my perspective. I needed to learn how to thrive in trials.
Friend, God wants you to thrive in the midst of trials (James 1:1-5). Trials are what they are; to try you. When you have been tested or tried, you are supposed to be promoted (Job 23:10). A wise student would welcome tests and examination with joy knowing they are signals that the next level is near.
Sometimes, it is not what happens to us that is the problem. It is what happens in us (2 Corinthians 4:7-13). It is not what we go through that matters. It is how we go through it. Really, some people are going through worse things than you. They have only learned to go through them with the right understanding, perspective, and response (Psalm 27:13).
If Joseph had allowed his problem to overwhelm him, he would not have encouraged and helped the officers of Pharaoh (Genesis 40:4-8). He would have also missed his destiny in the palace. One of the proofs of growth is that you don’t allow what you are going through to affect your pursuit of divine purpose (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Leaders are not those who are not going through stuff themselves. They are those who encourage themselves and others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Like David, you need to encourage yourself in the Lord so that God can use you to encourage others. Peter can only strengthen the other disciples when he’s been converted or strengthened (1 Samuel 30:6, Luke 22:32).
One of the secrets of thriving in trials is to maintain your joy despite the trials (James 1:2). It is to decide you are not going to let anything steal your joy. It is to rejoice knowing that all things are working for your good. It is to realise that the wilderness of life is not meant to end your life. It is meant to lead you to your wealthy place (Psalm 66:10-12).
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria