Training for Eternity

In an earlier two part devotion called, “Disappointment with God” (May 18 & 19, 2021) I shared the following observation:

“The moment we get saved we start our training course for eternity. While our perspective is often earthly we are told in (Colossians 3:2): “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” When we begin to have an eternal perspective, I believe, we will be able to deal with our earthly disappointments so much better. And here’s why. (Romans 8:28) tells us: “ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God…” I believe that God can work out even our tragedies for good but sometimes we will never know how or the results won’t be seen until we reach the other side of eternity. However, thankfully, sometimes we can see how God takes present suffering and uses it for a great good.”

One of the greatest lessons the Lord has taught me in my Christian walk is that it’s sometimes OK to not know why negative things happen to us. Sadly, many of us expect too much from the fields of science and medicine when it comes to expecting these disciplines to have all the answers. When it comes to the question of “why,” science is often not equipped to give us the answer because the “why” questions have to do with motives and purposes and in the final analysis these questions can only be answered by God.

When tragedy strikes and we get no answer from God as to why it happened we need to anchor ourselves on the Word of God or else we will often find that crashing disappointment with God can occur. Verses such as (Romans 8:28), which I shared above, and (Genesis 18:25): “…Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” can be of immense help to get us through difficult trials.

One other verse that is often overlooked is found in (Deuteronomy 29:29): “The secret things belong to the Lord our God…” My friends, God often chooses not to reveal the answers to our “why” questions. May I suggest two reasons why this often happens. But before I share these reasons I would like to talk about the issue of, “Is it OK to question God.”

It’s only human when we face a difficult trial, as a Christian, to want to know why it is happening. Clearly, there are many cases that we know the answer to and need not bother God as to why. For example, if you smoke three packs of cigarettes a day for forty years and then come down with lung cancer, we kind of know the answer to why. However, there are many trials that we can’t figure out why they are happening and in these cases only God has the answer. I believe it’s OK to ask God why, but too often our asking becomes demanding to know why and it is here that we cross the line. If we approach God in sincerity, He may reveal the answer to us, but if He doesn’t we need to just trust that He has good reasons for allowing our situation to take place. If we choose not to accept His silence we may grow bitter toward God. But if we accept the fact that God has a good reason for allowing us to go through a particular trial we will have passed our first lesson in God’s training course for eternity.

Reason 1 – Trials and suffering are a necessary part of being a Christian

The Psalmist once remarked: “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.” (Psalm 119:71). For the Christian our sincere desire should be to learn God’s word and become more conformed to the likeness of Christ. In order to do this, we must realize that trials and tragedies are part of the package of being a Christian. Even Jesus learned obedience through the things which He suffered (Hebrews 5:8). It is so important to realize that suffering is a necessary part in the life of a Christian. So, when it comes we will not get disappointed at God but draw closer to Him – for the strength, that only He can provide, to help us deal with these unpleasant trials. We can either embrace our trials and grow from them or complain to God and become disappointed in Him.

Reason 2 – Trials strengthen our faith

Faith grows through trials. As we go through trials we need to lean on and trust God more to pull us through them. As He does we grow closer to God and hopefully trust Him even more. When this happens our faith in God becomes stronger and as we learn to become more dependent on Jesus for everything we bring glory to God!

In God’s training course for eternity, He has equipped us with everything we need to be successful. We have the whole armor of God, the Bible, prayer, and our communion with Jesus to help us navigate our journey on planet earth. God has a wonderful plan for each of us and He is using our trials for eternal purposes. We need not analyze everything God does but instead just trust Him in everything. As we do this we will learn to love Jesus more and this world less. May I leave you with a verse to memorize. I believe it will be of great help as you train for eternity: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” (2 Corinthians 4:17)