“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4. 

What happens when you try to find fresh herbs and can’t, is that you plant an herb garden the size of a football field. And did you know God created a delicious looking herb called Boxwood Basil? It’s the tiniest edible tree you’ll ever see. And my husband wanted me to actually use it in a dish one evening. Silly guy! I had to tell him it’s TOO cute to cook with. You just look at it. Smell it. Pat it on the head and let it give you life. Cut its bangs…sometimes. 

Maybe we can reconsider this tiny boxwood though. How I ignored the sole purpose of its existence. How it flavored zero deliciousness for my family last year. Never mind that that’s why it was created. Never mind that its total determination is for flavor, to regrow and give us more goodness. To be used up. Enjoyed. That the pruning of it will help it flourish and start new life, even. 

Let’s use this story to shift our mindsets—knowing that with God—the trials and tearing down of one thing just means the resurrection of something greater. And that’s what we have to look forward to: finding freedom and growth in the trials of today. 

Trust God’s Growth Plan

This message reiterated a few weeks ago when I met with my Life Coach Rachel Anne Ridge. 

Me: (Saying many sentences and share-whining about the force that’s been pressing in on our family lately.)

Rachel: (Smiling) Beth, most people are limping across the finish line, barely able to break the tape. You want to come across pumping your fists without any pain. 

Me: (Thinking: WELL YEAH).

Rachel: But we know our faith doesn’t usually grow this way.

Me: (Wildly nodding because she’s right!)

Over and over Scripture shows us that just like my tiny boxwood, faith isn’t simply observed. Faith flourishes and gives us life when it’s used. Tension and trials are catalysts to revealing God’s work, demonstrating His power, and proving how deeply He cares for us. Mind. Body. And soul. 

In fact, John 6:10 shows us how well God cares for us, as Jesus holds more of a banquet than just feeding people, instructing His disciples to, “Have the people sit down.” The very next verse is more specific, saying, “There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about 5,000 of them.” 

Why would this detail about “plenty of grass” be important enough to be in the Bible if it wasn’t an indication of who God is? Or about His caring character? Knowing this, I think: God cares for our comfort even on the uncomfortable days. And if He cares this much about our humanness, how much more can He care for our souls? It’s a relief, really. Especially, FREEING, don’t you think? To know we don’t have to work this day like dough in our hands and fix all the flaws in it.

A God Who Wastes Nothing

And when we turn to this same story in Matthew 14:15, we see that tension again. The disciples tell Jesus, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Instead, Jesus feeds the people. But also, “When they all had enough to eat, he [Jesus] said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” (John 6:12). 

Friends, this verse tells us what kind of God He is. There is hope here. Joy, too. Can’t we trust a God who gathers small pieces of bread… so nothing will be lost? We need to remember this today. We can trust that He is not a God who wastes pain. Not tears or tension, either. Now when I read this passage, I’m reminded: Pain serves a PURPOSE. And there is a special place for it in our lives.

The ability to sit with pain and not try to wiggle out from under it, or help my kids escape it, is a lesson I’m still learning. Give me 75 degrees and comfortable, that’s all I’m saying. But I’m here to confirm something I suspect I knew all along: making the universe ok for me, for my family, isn’t how faith in Jesus Christ—who sacrificially died on the cross because I couldn’t save myself—works. Trials are part of life and joy a part of faith. 

I’ve also discovered how sweet and savory the boxwood basil truly is. And just like my faith, I want to use it. All. 

*Can you think of a time God used a trial in your life to grow your faith?

*Take time today to meditate on a verse that reveals more of God’s caring character to you. 

Meet Beth…