10 ENCOURAGING Reasons for TrialsSample

For my first 25 years of serving the Lord, I had completely failed to engraft the power of God’s Word into my life.  I struggled to read the Bible, I struggled to pray, and I struggled to have a deep relationship with God, although I desired it greatly.

Then in 2013, I sunk into a deep, suicidal depression, which led to a diagnosis of Bipolar Type II.

I tried for a year to take psychiatric drugs, but I was allergic to everything and had terrible side effects so I had to stop taking these medications.

Still suicidal, God took advantage of this opportunity to be my hero.  He placed a mentor into my life at that time to help me understand the power of God’s Word and how it could help me regain as much control of my mind as possible.

For the next 7 years, God drew me to His side, using this affliction of Bipolar to help me see the provision and power that comes through relying on His Word.

This affliction of Bipolar has been the greatest gift in my life, as it was the opportunity God used to get me to see how powerful His Word is to change lives.

Thus, the first beautiful reason for affliction is to draw us to His word and to get us to cling to His statutes.

I believe I would still be yearning for a relationship with the Lord if He hadn’t allowed the affliction of Bipolar to change my course and draw me to Him.

Now, because of Bipolar, God is my Best Friend!

As we go through our lifetime of many trials, we have a choice.  We can become bitter, pushing God away, or we can see these trials as an opportunity to cling to the truth and power of scripture.

Pause for a moment and reflect on your trials.  Did your dependence on scripture deepen as a result of the trial?

Are you enduring a trial now?  Turn to His word.