Bitter or Better?

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be if good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33 KJV).

We learn two things from this passage. First, we will experience trials and testings in this life as Christians. We are not promised our best lives now as some would have you believe. We face temptations, trials, persecution, ups and downs throughout our lives. 

Second, we can have peace because Jesus has overcome the world. Jesus has brought us the way to victory. We do not have to fall to temptation, we do not have to grow weary, discouraged, or bitter when life throws challenges our way. We have everything we need for life and godliness through our union with Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:2-3).

The Bible tells us that our faith will be tested through trials.

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 KJV).

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 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 (1Peter 1:6-7 KJV).

 None of us relish trials, and when they come we often pray that they would be removed. But we read in James that we must let the trial produce endurance. If we could avoid the trial we wouldn't grow in our faith, and when a difficult time comes we stand a good chance of falling. 

It is so easy to grow discouraged or bitter, but we need to submit to God's way, trusting Him to see us through, and ultimately bring our faith to maturity.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope (Romans 5:3-4 KJV)

As we allow trials to stretch our faith we gain endurance, which grows into a way of life. Again, it is so easy to chafe under trials. We would much rather find an easier way to grow in our faith. However it is during the hard times of life that our faith gets stretched and is enabled to grow stronger. 

This leaves us with a choice. We can either grow bitter in the hard times, or get better. Our faith can falter and fail, or it can be proven,  although by the fires of testing, and result in praise when we stand before Christ.