5—WHAT ATTITUDE WILL YOU TAKE?
In this passage in Hebrews 12:5-14, we find that there are three different attitudes a person can take toward his trials and afflictions.
In the first place you can despise it. V.5—"My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him." Many people take this attitude toward their troubles. They despise them and rebel against them. This is a dangerous thing to do. It will make you sour, cynical and hard. You will find that your life and faith will be wrecked by such an attitude as this.
In the second place, we can just endure it. V. 7—"If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons." A great many people take this attitude toward their sorrows. They just grit their teeth and make up their minds that they will bear it the best they can. Many times they
take the position that we all have our troubles. "Other people bear theirs, and I will take mine like a man." This is better than the other way, but it is not the best way. There is a better attitude than this to take.
The best attitude to take is to be exercised by them. V. 11—"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." If you will be exercised by your trials and afflictions, you will find them bearing the fruits of righteousness in your life. You will find that they have brought a real blessing into your heart and life, and that your life has really been enriched. There are thousands of saints scattered up and down this land who can bear such a testimony as that, and they show by their lives that it is true.
Some of the greatest saints that the world has ever known have been those who suffered most. They were entrusted with the ministry of suffering, and in bearing it as true Christians they have found that their lives have been enriched by their trials. They have proved to be a blessing to the world because they knew how to sympathize with those that needed it and give comfort to those that were in distress.
Just remember that even though you cannot understand why your troubles have come, there is One who does understand, and that He is your Father. He knows how frail you are, and He has promised that you shall not be tempted beyond that which you are able to bear; and with each test He has promised to provide the grace to bear it. He has also promised that all things shall work together for your good, if you love Him. He has predestinated that you shall be conformed to the image of His Son.
One of these days all of the tests and trials will be over and God Himself shall wipe away our tears and take us to that place where there is no more sorrow, suffering or death; but all things shall be made new and we shall walk with Him in white.
"We are often tossed and driv'n
On the restless sea of time,
Somber skies and howling tempests
Oft succeed a bright sunshine;
In that land of perfect day,
When the mists have rolled away,
We will understand it better by and by.
"By and by, when the morning comes,
When the saints of God are gathered home,
We'll tell the story how we've overcome,
We will understand it better by and by."
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