Someone once said, "If I had the power of God, there are many things I would change. But if I also had the wisdom of God, I wouldn't change a thing."

Christian, when you're going through trials, it's absolutely necessary that you remind yourself of the lovingkindness of your Father.

You cannot grasp just how much God loves you. He gave his only Son for you! He elected you, rescued you, forgave you, adopted you into his family, calls you his own child, and is in control over the entire universe, including everything that happens in your life.

If this is the case (and it is), then won't this completely change how we look at personal trials?

This is why the Bible says, "Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials" (James 1:2) or, "You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials" (1 Peter 1:6).

How in the world are we supposed to "rejoice" or have "great joy" in trials?

Think about it this way. We rejoice when something good happens to us or to someone we care about.

God wants us to realize that trials, though bad in and of themselves and often a result of a sinful, fallen world, are used by him to do a great work in us. Trials refine our faith and make us more like Jesus.

When we really believe and embrace this truth, it gives us the ability to have sincere joy, even when tears are flowing, because we're in the hands of a good, good Father.