Reading Plan | Leaning into Trials
Leaning into Trials
Most of us, if not all of us, do our best to avoid hardship and suffering. When we see it coming, we run the other way. When in it, we do our best to get out of it as quickly as possible. Our desire is to disengage from it and focus on how to fix it.
The scriptures however teach us that we should positively engage in the trials we face. We should “boast in”, “delight in”, “joyfully accept”, “be exceedingly glad [in]” and “be very glad [in]” our trials, and “consider [them with] pure joy”. In other words, we should lean into our trials.
Plan
Session 1
Acts 5:41 (NIV)
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.
Session 2
Romans 5:3 (CSB)
And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance
Session 3
2 Corinthians 12:10 (NIV)
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Session 4
James 1:2 (NIV)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds
Session 5
Hebrews 10:34 (NIV)
You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.
Session 6
1 Peter 1:6 (AMPC)
[You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations
Session 7
1 Peter 4:12-13 (NLT)
Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
Scripture quotations used by permission.
R - E - A - P
Read
Read and re-read the scripture. Read it a few times in one sitting or read it repeatedly over a few days. Read it in different versions of the Bible.
Explore
Ask questions when reading the scriptures. Use 'What’, 'When’, 'Who’, 'Why’ and 'How’ to better understand the scripture. Also take time to use Bible study resources like commentaries, dictionaries or topical references to further explore.
Apply
Think about how the scripture applies to your life and take a week (or more) to practically apply the scripture in your life and the circumstances you experience.
Pray
Pray before reading the scriptures. Pray while reading and exploring them. Pray when applying them in your life.
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