Trapped in the Trial

Have you ever felt trapped in a trial, feeling helpless to escape? When the darkest storms hit hard, it can often feel like God is not near. It can feel like nothing good can come from this. It can make us grow weary to continue ahead. Even if we see the end in sight, we are already running on fumes to take the next breath, let alone, make it around a few more bends.

My husband and I had taken a step of faith knowing the next ten weeks were going to be tough. He had applied for a financial advisor position that enrolled him in an intensive training program that would entail ten weeks of challenging study. We had no idea that the ten weeks would turn into an extensive seven long months instead. We were not certain at the end of this long process he would even have a job or not, as the company was not required to hire him if he didn’t pass the tests along the way. It was a risky move, but one we had entrusted to God from the beginning. After the six months of craziness, we thought we reached the end of the intensity, but his crazy schedule still continued in full force. With each additional week the days seemed to grow harder and harder to push through. He was mentally drained from the six-day work weeks, late night studying, intense testing and pressure of succeeding. I was exhausted from keeping up with a full time job, bills, household chores, home projects, yardwork, meals and errands for the two of us, in addition to my side business.

Throughout the weeks of feeling controlled by schedules, chores and tasks, I found it difficult to know what God was trying to teach me. Each morning I had to pray that God could help me get out of bed. Every day felt the same as the last, filled with tasks, chores and a lack of control over doing anything enjoyable. The time that used to be spent with my husband was replaced with endless chores that never felt like they could ever be fully checked off. That feeling of brief accomplishment only lasted a few moments until everything needed to be done all over again the next day.

Maybe you can relate? Maybe you feel like your schedule or circumstance has made you feel trapped? Each day brings the same problems, tasks and routine that you can’t seem to escape from? Maybe you are wondering what God is trying to teach you during this season? Is there anything good that could come from this?

Let me stop here. Please let me instill 3 truths I have found helpful during a long season of perceived helplessness, hoping it can encourage you as well…

Rely on God for daily strength

I have found great encouragement from the passage in Matthew that references how God supplies for the birds on a daily basis.

I’ve replayed this verse in my head over and over on the days that I just needed to rely on God for strength, not looking to the long road ahead, but just for one day at a time. Birds don’t need food supplied for months in advance. They don’t worry and fret when they don’t see how God will provide. Rather, they rely on God to supply them with just enough for that day. Some days it may be relying on God hour by hour, or maybe even moment by moment. Just taking one step at a time. God loves when we come to Him seeking help, reliance and our need for strength. He doesn’t want us to get caught up in the upcoming weeks or months, just today. He is more than willing to help supply just what we need for today only. When we are so weak, we have no strength left, it helps us see how He pulled us through only by His strength.

We can trust God’s plan

When things don’t go as planned, I admit that I question God’s reasoning. When my circumstances feel out of control, I feel out of control. Seeing many women ten years younger than me having children made me feel old for not being a mother yet. My husband and I just weren’t ready to start a family. I got married at 30, but we wanted to wait a few years before committing to the huge responsibility of a family. I honestly didn’t even know if I wanted to be a mother. Three years passed and we both agreed that we were finally ready. We took it to God in prayer for 30 days before moving forward as I still was a bit hesitant. God’s direction was clear after the 30 days, so we proceeded. It was during this time that my husband’s schedule got insanely busy due to his training program. After trusting, praying and waiting for God’s direction, it was incredibly discouraging that my husband and I were put on hold with proceeding in this area. I felt like time was running out. My husband was working late in the evenings, I was physically worn out, he was emotionally tired and things just weren’t successful.

It was here that I needed to refocus my perspective and trust that God’s plan was better than what I was able to see. I’ve been repeating Proverbs 3:5-6 over and over. Although it’s a common verse, it’s one I have come to find new meaning in my own life, reminding myself that when my plans go differently than how I expect, I can trust that God intentionally planned all of this out and He knows far better than me. Even when I feel trapped, God is protecting, providing and planning for my benefit, even when I can’t see. True trust comes when we don’t understand, but we know God is always intentional. We can trust God because we know He has incredible purpose for every detail of our lives. Nothing is a surprise. Nothing is overlooked. His plans for you are unique to YOU, not someone else. God has a unique plan and purpose for you individually. Take delight knowing that God is allowing you to go through this to help benefit you in ways you cannot understand just yet. The day is coming when we will truly understand all the amazing plans God has for each of us!

Focus on what is good

Focusing on the negative can cause my mind to dive in a downward spiral to discouragement. One tiny thought can do so much damage. That’s why Philippians 4:8 has been such an encouragement to me when I feel at the end of my rope. I can choose to focus on all that is wrong, all the frustrations, all the ways I have been mistreated, all that seems unfair, all the pain, and all the things that are out of control. Or I could dust off the negativity and grasp all that God has blessed me with. I can choose to focus on the benefit that this trial is teaching me. I can thank God for all the things He has given me, even when I feel like so much has been taken away. I can delight in God that my life could be so much worse. So many others around me are enduring through worse trials than mine.

There may be a bad circumstances we endure through, but there could be 10,000 good things that God is doing in and through our lives. Often what we see as negative, God still is using them for far better and wonderful things that we can comprehend. The hardest trials are opportunities for so much good to occur in our hearts and for God’s power to be displayed through our lives.

My circumstances have not changed and I still don’t understand all God’s reasoning, but my perspective has changed how I view what I’m going through. Sometimes being trapped in a trial that God directed you into is the best place to be, because you know God is pruning and shaping you to be more like Him. Isn’t that what we are all truly created for? To become more like God? These trying times are ultimately allowing you to become more like God and transforming you into a exquisitely crafted tool for God to use!