Infinite Love Ordered the Experiences that Seemed Most Trying
Everyone goes through trials - I used to look around at others and think my life harder than other people - but I have come to the conclusion that everyone goes through trials that are hard to bear. Some people's trials are more visible, and they are out in the open, for all to see, so they can be talked about (eg health issues, car accidents, caring for disabled family members, broken families, death of loved ones). But other people who appear to "have life so easy" may have very secret and hidden trials, that are too private to be talked about (eg. health issues, abusive relationships, sexual assaults, learning difficulties, phobias, grief & loss - eg loss of babies/miscarriage, infertility etc).
No trials are easy - bringing physical and emotional stress.
Our family has had a fair share of stress - due to Adrian's health condition, and our son, Daniel's, fairly severe autism. I personally have lost so much sleep due to Daniel's disordered sleep patterns over his short 11 years of life. If sleep was a part of the recovery process in heaven or the new earth, I might need to sleep for a year non-stop to catch up!! Thankfully all that will be forgotten!
There have been times when life has just seemed too hard - the stress level too high - when I don't think I can keep going. Just 2 months ago, while in Melbourne (1000km away from home) for some therapy for Daniel, I came to a point where I thought that if life continued on as it was I just was not going to be able to cope. He has been struggling biochemically over the last 12 months, with progressively worsening aggressive/violent outbursts.
The Lord led me to a decision. It was my birthday, and after only getting to sleep at 11.30pm, the day started too early - at 3am - with Daniel's screams. He wasn't coping with the pain in his head again. "Well happy birthday" I said to myself!! But I decided that even if life did not get better I needed to learn to trust God no matter what. And I decided that it would be a good day that day. I decided to trust that one day I will understand why life has to be so hard. Well God is good, I did have a lovely day (including a surprise birthday lunch with friends). After another week of extremely difficult times with Daniel, God has allowed it to get a bit easier, and we are getting a few clues to his biochemical problems.
Recently I came across these beautiful words from the last chapter of Volume 9 of the Testimonies:
"...All that has perplexed us in the providences of God will in the world to come be made plain. The things hard to be understood will then find explanation. The mysteries of grace will unfold before us. Where our finite minds discovered only confusion and broken promises, we shall see the most perfect and beautiful harmony. We shall know that infinite love ordered the experiences that seemed most trying. As we realize the tender care of Him who makes all things work together for our good, we shall rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." {9T 286.2}
It will be a wonderful time .. to be able to praise God for His inifinte love that has "ordered" all the trials we have, and to rejoice with joy unspeakable.
From my viewpoint here on earth - especially when I am in the midst of trials, I find it hard to imagine how that can be possible. But it will come to pass, as it was revealed to the prophet.
My greatest need in trials, is the need for absolute trust in God. My great weakness has been murmuring, complaining about my lot (in good company with the Israelites in the wilderness!!) and harbouring resentment against God, resisting the path He has chosen to lead me on to purify my character.
More words of instruction from 9T:
"Let the afflictions which pain us so grievously become instructive lessons, teaching us to press forward toward the mark of the prize of our high calling in Christ. Let us be encouraged by the thought that the Lord is soon to come. Let this hope gladden our hearts..." {9T 286.4}
"... Soon the garments of heaviness will be changed for the wedding garment. Soon we shall witness the coronation of our King..." {9T 287.1}
"... It will not be long till we shall see Him in whom our hopes of eternal life are centered. And in His presence, all the trials and sufferings of this life will be as nothingness... Look up, look up, and let your faith continually increase. Let this faith guide you along the narrow path that leads through the gates of the city of God into the great beyond, the wide, unbounded future of glory that is for the redeemed. "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." James 5:7, 8. {9T 287.2, 288.1}
