Growing Through Pain!

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. James 1:13‭-‬14 KJV

An integral part of our lives, growth and depth is trials. God has designed our lives to be stretched and the quality of our convictions to be established through trials and tribulations. In fact, God already says that "the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" 1 Peter 1:7 KJV.

However, care must be taken to distinguish between trials and temptations. One way to know the difference is a clear conviction of its source. If we will be honest with ourselves, we will agree that there have been times when we have placed ourselves in the line of fire: sought out pornography, moved with friends who did not share our own deep convictions, desired to be rich without really consulting God on the mode and medium, and several other things. Joseph ran away rather than stay and fight temptations; Samson slept off on the laps of temptation and we both know how they ended. The other Hebrew boys blended into the culture of Babylon; Daniel dared to avoid luxuries so he could defend the God of Israel. We also know how they ended.  When my desires for the 'good life' become more important to me than the desire to please God, there is a problem. When I prefer to pursue what I want and not what God desires, there is a problem.

It is also key to note that temptation does not seek to make your life better; it seeks to destroy you. Trials seek to develop character, depth and perseverance in you, and will always teach you important spiritual lessons that will help you know God just a little better than before. Temptations seek to distract you from the goal of pleasing God, and wants to make other options attractive, giving you a choice. Truthfully, there is no other choice; God is the only one that matters. Seek out his plans and purposes for your life; his time of favour is here.