Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Trusting God in prayer with our biggest worries kills our anxiety. To be thankful for our deepest heart burdens is to know “the peace that passeth understanding” (Philippians 4:7). Is it really possible to be thankful for our trials? It only is when we properly interpret our trials with Scripture. Here are a few ways to be thankful for your trials.
1.) God has not given you more than you can handle.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (I Corinthians 10:13)
2.) God is working in your trial for your own good.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good… (Genesis 50:20a)
3.) God is training you as a loving, heavenly Father.
For they (Our Fathers) verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. (Hebrews 12:10)
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. (Psalms 119:67)
God does discipline His children but never with a vindictive spirit. “He has not rewarded us according to our iniquities” (Psalms 103:10). Remember, if God got even with us, we would be in hell. Even the best earthly father corrects his child after his own likes or dislikes, but our Heavenly Father always corrects us ,His children, for our benefit.
4.) God is working on your virtues.
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:2-4)
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. (I Peter 5:10)
Job suffered the loss of his children, his wealth, the confidence of his friends, and the support of his wife. Yet, he knew that God was doing a work in his life.
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. (Job 23:10)
God formed a golden life with Job’s trials that would be a blessing to saints for thousands of years to come. God is working on our virtues.
5.) God’s strength is available in the trial.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (II Corinthians 12:9)
Instead of God changing the Apostle Paul’s circumstances, God changed Paul. I can be thankful when I pray because even if God doesn’t change my circumstances, He’ll always give me the grace to meet my need.
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (James 4:6)