Wading Through Our Trials

"We're going on a bear hunt, we're going to catch a big one.

What a beautiful day! We're not scared.

Uh-uh, a river! A deep cold river.

We can't go over it, we can't go under it,

Oh, no! We've got to go through it!"

These words have become all too familiar as I read my son's favourite book to him. Every. Single. Day. Do you know the story? Children go on a hunt to find a bear, but they face various obstacles that they can't master unless they go through them. The book was a Christmas gift for my son, and I can't tell you how many times I've read the story since then.

But having to face those obstacles in We're Going on a Bear Hunt is a bit like our real lives.

We face trials in our lives. When we come upon a trial, we're faced with a decision to make. We can't avoid the trial, so our options are to stop moving forward or go through the trial.

It's scary to go through a trial even when God is right there by our sides. It's kind of like a river in our story—deep and cold. We don't really know what to expect when we step into that river. It might be deep and cold. The current might sweep us away, yet we forge ahead, trusting God will walk with us to the other side.

We don't know what kind of pain we'll need to deal with as we stare our trials in the face. We don't know what losses we may face. We don't even know how long we may be in the midst of the trial. But we do know God will use the trial for His glory and our good.

Wading through the rivers of our trials may be difficult, but there are things we can do to make it easier.

Seek to be secure in your walk with the Lord.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4:12-13, ESV

Give thanks. Daily.

Yes, I know it's incredibly difficult in the midst of a trial, but we need to give thanks in all our circumstances.

 ...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18, ESV

Remember that Jesus has "been there" and can understand your sufferings. 

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15, ESV

When we step into that river by faith, we will eventually get to the other side. It's then we've discovered how much we've grown because of the trial that God has walked us through.