Triumph Over Trials

Twentieth century psychologist, Victor Frankl was an amazing man. During World War II, he spent years of unspeakable horror in Auschwitz and other Nazi death camps. His writings about man’s search for meaning was greatly influenced by his experiences there.

One of the lessons he learned through his horrible experiences offers great insight about how passion in life directly affects how a person advances through whatever circumstances he may face. Frankl described how the goals and expectations that his fellow prisoners once had for their lives disappeared in prison. They were stripped away and became impossible to achieve.

It was how people responded to their circumstances that made all the difference in their lives. Some of the prisoners found new meaning in life that they could become passionate about, ranging from basic tasks like trying to get food or gather information or find work within the camp. Others determined to document their events for future historians. Some focused on helping those who hurt in an attempt to ease their suffering.

There were many others who lost all hope in the concentration camp. They found no meaning in their circumstances and no goals to pursue. They surrendered to feelings of hopelessness and despair.

Frankl described how these two groups differed from each other. Those who found meaning in their circumstances seemed to have a sense of stability and calm that most wouldn’t think fit their situation. Those who failed to find a mission through their misery often became passive, paralyzed by lethargy. These often deteriorated quickly, both psychologically and physically. Many seemed to go downhill and die quickly.

Frankl concluded that “the sort of person that the prisoner became was the result of an inner decision, and not the result of camp influence alone.” He wrote about how that, while there are many things that can be taken from us in life, nobody can take away our decision as to what attitude we will embrace in our circumstances.

The Apostle Paul knew what it was to suffer. His testimony would fly in the face of the joy boys we hear on TV today who tell us that our faith should insulate us from troubles. Paul described his journey this way: In far more labors, in far more imprisonments,beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

What was his attitude in all this? We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;(2 Corinthians 4:8).

We can't control what troubles come into our lives, but we can decide how we respond to them. Are you facing trials in your circumstances? Rise up and be who you are as you move through them. Your Sovereign God is in control so you can rest in Him and He will take you safely through them all.