Today's trials can be tomorrow's treasures in due time
"My times are in your hands…" Psalm 3:15 (AMP)
I've heard it said, "The trials of today are the treasures of tomorrow." Oftentimes, in hindsight, we see how God used a trial to strengthen our faith, grow our knowledge or trust in Him. In my own life, the amount of time it took for a particular trial to end I don't always understand. I've seen God do amazing things overnight, while other times I've waited years for a desire to come to pass.
God has a plan and a time line for every situation we go through. I think if we had a better understanding of his timing we could cooperate with his plan, but that timing is one of the great mysteries of God.
Why does it take God so long to answer our prayers? God has a plan for every event. Chapter after chapter in the Bible we can read how each situation took different amounts of time to resolve. It took Joseph 13 years to go from prison to freedom, becoming second in command to the Pharaoh.
While he was waiting for his release, God was helping him to reach new levels of maturity.
God wants to lead and us to follow. We have our agendas and our timing, but God's timing is perfect. He is perfecting us in the midst of our trials. He is also setting a plan in motion to grow other people involved in our lives; we must wait patiently while he is working behind the scenes to put things in place.
During times of waiting we can enjoy time with him by praying, singing and doing what we know he is calling us to do. As we reach new levels of maturity with insights and understanding, new levels of his blessings can flow. Remembering he that delivered us in the past will deliver us again and that trust is required to bring joy and blessing while we wait on him.
To turn today's trials into tomorrow's treasures takes God's perfect time.
• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She is available to speak at your church or group, or coach you individually. She can be contacted at (847) 543-8413; P.O. Box 532, Grayslake, IL 60030; or Annetteebudzban@aol.com.