Why?

In my email from home this week my parents told me about the loss of a dear family friend. My thoughts have been turned to this incredible man's family. A tragic loss isn't something we understand well until we experience it; but, trials are familiar to us all. It's tempting to ask "WHY". Why would God allow such seemingly unbearable experiences?

I probably haven't had my fair share of unbearable trials, but as I've faced the ones that I have been given, I often turn to the words of the hymn "How Firm A Foundation".

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,

The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o'erflow;                               

For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,

And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,

My grace all-sufficient shall be thy supply;

The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design,

Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine."

Why does God allow trials?

I believe He puts them in our life as sacred gifts that are finely tailored to make us what He wants us to be; He sanctifies and blesses our trials because they consume our weaknesses and make us like Him. 

So, next time I think I just can't take it anymore, I will remember that the flames won't hurt me, the rivers of sorrow won't overflow, and I will fall to my knees in thanks for the blessing of a trial.