Welcome to your daily devotional for February 20. Today, we tackle a difficult but essential truth: how trials serve as a furnace to refine our character. By learning to surrender and trust, we allow God to turn our obstacles into opportunities for spiritual maturity.
Surrender and Trust – Daily Devotional for February 20
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” – James 1:2-3 (NIV)
Facing the “Junk”
Apostle James teaches us that we can actually find a reason to rejoice in difficult situations, knowing that God is using them to produce patience.
However, many of us find that when the heat of a trial is turned up, “patience” isn’t the first thing that comes out. Instead, we see “junk” rising to the surface: pride, anger, rebellion, self-pity, and complaining.
It seems these ungodly traits must be faced before the good fruit, like kindness, love, and humility, can grow. Don’t be discouraged when a trial reveals your weaknesses. God isn’t exposing them to shame you; He is bringing them to the surface so that, with His help, they can be dealt with and cleared away.
The Path of Purification
The Bible often speaks of purification, sanctification, and sacrifice. While these aren’t “popular” or comfortable words, they are the very things we go through to become like Jesus. God’s desire is to make us mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
This process usually requires us to walk through some unpleasant difficulties. While these moments are never enjoyable at the time, they are the tools God uses to help us grow up. He works through the friction of life to polish the rough edges of our character.
A New Declaration
We can struggle against our difficulties for years, or we can choose to surrender and trust. The moment of breakthrough happens when we stop fighting the circumstances and start trusting the Creator.
Instead of asking “Why is this happening?”, we can say: “I trust You, God. I believe when this difficulty is over, I will be a better person than I was before it began!” This shift in perspective allows God to work everything out for our good and His glory.
Devotional for every day: Daily Devotional
Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, I admit that I don’t always “count it joy” when I face trials. Forgive me for the complaining and self-pity that often come to the surface. Today, I choose to Surrender and Trust. I believe that You are refining me and that I will come out of this situation more like Jesus. Thank You for Your faithful work in my heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
To You
Reflect on a current “difficulty” in your life. Instead of praying for God to take it away immediately, try praying this: “Lord, what ‘junk’ is this bringing to the surface that You want to help me clear away?”
