We have had during 2023: Several Life-Altering Trials and Hardships all at once:
Trials and Blessings:
Cancer: Early 2023: Looked bad with my wife having a less than 20% survival after 5 years. This particular type of aggressive deadly cancer does not usually respond at all to any chemotherapy. However, the first type of chemotherapy actually shrunk cancer but caused lung issue so had to stop and cancer regrew. Then a second try with a different chemotherapy drug has made the cancer stable now after 2 years which is far beyond expectations as no chemotherapy is supposed to work at all!
Legal: Summer 2023 looked bad and at a particular important meeting needed a letter from a doctor but the appointment to see him was not until June 24th 2024 of next year. However, just one hour after the meeting the doctor’s office called and said there was an opening the very next day!
Financial: Summer 2023 looked bad when Lisa lost her job and health insurance. However, Lisa was accepted immediately for disability although normally it takes an 8 month processing wait time!
Also, as of October 2023 began a job that is very flexible and pays immediately with just what we need. We now can increase our SMPW assignments as well.
Conclusion:
Our faith has been greatly strengthened as we have seen and experienced Jehovah’s loving merciful care for us through these multiple extreme trials and hardships and tests of faith. Seeing Jehovah’s way of answering prayers in some cases almost immediately and in ways we did not even expect has helped us look to the future with confidence as our endurance is hardening our faith in Jehovah’s loving care and approval which gives us peace of mind and strength.
Often after a trial is over, we look back and realize “oh Jehovah did that for us.” But it is better to realize it and perceive Jehovah’s support during the trial as it will help you get through it with joy knowing Jehovah approves and supports you. Thus, we can get through the trials by looking at the blessings from the trials.
Therefore, one can see beauty in trials if one looks at the big picture. Don’t get so involved in the problems to see the blessings Jehovah gives along the way. Or as the saying goes “one cannot see the forest through the trees”. That is, “one cannot see the blessings through the trials”. We must enjoy the journey no matter what comes our way.
“Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet with various trials, knowing as you do that this tested quality of your faith produces endurance. But let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and sound in all respects, not lacking in anything…Happy is the man who keeps on enduring trial, because on becoming approved he will receive the crown of life, which Jehovah promised to those who continue loving Him”. James 1:2-4,12.
“Because of this you are greatly rejoicing, though for a short time, if it must be, you have been distressed by various trials, in order that the tested quality of your faith, of much greater value than gold that perishes despite its being tested by fire, may be found a cause for praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you never saw him, you love him. Though you do not see him now, yet you exercise faith in him and are greatly rejoicing with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of your faith, your salvation”. 1 Peter 1:6-9.
“How many things you have done, O Jehovah my God, Your wonderful works and your thoughts toward us. None can compare to you; If I were to try to tell and speak of them, They would be too numerous to recount! Ps. 40:5. Many friends in the Congregation have also provided support in many ways.
Regularly take time to stop and think about how Jehovah is making you successful even while you are enduring a hardship. At the end of each day, ask yourself: ‘In what way did I see Jehovah’s blessing today? Although the trial is still running its course, how is Jehovah helping me to endure?’ See if you can identify at least one blessing from Jehovah that has made you successful.
True, you might be praying for your trial to end. That is understandable and appropriate. (Phil. 4:6) But we should also be aware of the blessings we have right now. After all, Jehovah promises to strengthen us and to help us to endure. So never lose appreciation for the fact that Jehovah is supporting you. Then you will see how Jehovah is helping you to succeed, as he did Joseph, even during times of trial.—Gen. 41:51, 52.
Job also went through these same types of life-altering hardships all at once as we are currently experiencing. Health, financial and legal as the comforters raised legal issues. Yet what did Jehovah do for Job? “Look! We consider happy those who have endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome Jehovah gave, that Jehovah is very tender in affection and merciful”. James 5:11.
“For the eyes of Jehovah are roving about through all the earth to show his strength [support] in behalf of those whose heart is complete toward [completely devoted to] him”. 2 Chron. 16:9.
“For the eyes of Jehovah are on the righteous, and his ears listen to their supplication.” 1 Pet. 3:12.