Don’t Ask for Trials
“The Lord disciplines the one he loves and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
Hebrews 12:6
I was at a conference, speaking about the benefits that come from embracing God in difficult trials. But I was stunned when a woman approached me afterward and said, “Joni, I see how Christian character is honed through trials, but I’m not wrestling with any big problems. Should I be asking God for a trial?”
I smiled and shook my head “no,” and I told her that God is the only one who has the wisdom to know when trials might hurt us and when they benefit us. Hebrews 12 says, “The Lord disciplines the one he loves and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” I told her that the love of God is what governs how and to what extent we are tested by trials. It’s not our responsibility to ask for them. Our responsibility is to simply steward well what little trials we already have. Manage them well, and you will be well on your way to true Christian character.
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