Pastor Rick Warren begins Chapter 25 (“Transformed by Trouble”) of The Purpose Driven Life with the observation that life is a series of problems, as much as we might wish otherwise. Although not all of our problems will be big, all of them are significant in God’s growth process. In fact, during our darkest days we most likely will experience our most profound and intimate worship experiences, as we rely on God alone. Our prayers become heartfelt rather than superficial. Joni Eareckson Tada describes this experience in her book 31 Days Toward Intimacy with God:
“When life is rosy, we may slide by without knowing about Jesus, with imitating and quoting him and speaking of him. But only in suffering will we know Jesus.”
Rick continues by discussing Romans 8:28-29 (“We know that in all things God works for the good . . .”). He emphasizes that in difficult times our hope is a certainty that God is sovereign and that He loves us. All that happens to us is part of God’s plan for our lives. These events are not isolated incidences, but interdependent parts of God’s plan to make us more Christlike.
Tomorrow’s blog: Mirroring Jesus’ reflection
