Trials

In David McCullough’s book, The Pioneers, he tracked the remarkable story of the brave individuals who first settled the Ohio frontier, shortly after the American Revolution. For those who arrived, they endured incredible hardship with rattlesnakes, panthers, starvation, and natives who were not particularly keen on their continued existence as neighbors. While life in the new country was certainly treacherous, the difficulty often began in the long journey westward across the mountains from New England. McCullough recounted one of those extraordinary families, led by Joseph Barker, a New Hampshirite, who along with his young wife and some other hopeful travelers encountered a set back that might have ended the dreams for others less committed. “The journey proved more difficult than they had imagined. At times crossing the Alleghenies, progress became slow, their wagon had to be taken apart and the separate pieces carried by hand over impassible barriers of rocks and ledges”. 

Often as I read and encounter stories such as these I try and put myself into the situation and think about how I would have responded. In all honesty, my gut impulse might have been to say forget it, this game is over. However, in reality, life is filled with moments that feel exactly like this one. We might call it a gut punch or simply an unexpected twist, but we know depending on how we respond, the trajectory of our life can be shaped (for good or bad) in many ways. This may occur through an array of experiences such as sickness, death, financial strains, emotional hurt, or as in the aforementioned story a wagon that needs to be disassembled to cross a mountain range on the way to your new home (haven’t experienced that one yet but you never know).

 Through those occurrences we can choose to view our situation as being the products of chance, meaningless interruptions, or we can acknowledge that God, who has the power and intelligence to create the universe, often accomplishes His purposes in ways not understood by his finite creation, requiring us to simply have faith in His character and sovereign purposes. Charles Spurgeon, a 19th century British pastor, once stated, “When you go through a trial, the sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which the child of God rests his head at night.” Dear friends, when you go through a trial and the world seems unsteady, do not lose hope. Think of these words of encouragement Jesus tells us, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). Peace.