The phrase "trials and tribulations" refers to the challenges and difficulties that one endures in life. It can be used to describe any type of difficult experience that tests one's faith and worth. The phrase can be used in a secular context to describe plainly bad things or times that one endures. In a Christian context, trials and tribulations are more than just hardship, they are challenges that test one's faith, love, hope, and more.
Most people see trials and tribulations as a punishment “why is God or the Universe punishing me?” “Haven’t I been through enough?” “Why are these things happening to me?” “I am so sick of struggling!” The thing is trials and tribulations are not a punishment but are meant to push us out of our comfort zone.
We humans can be stubborn, and, in that stubbornness, we can become complacent in life, meaning we do not step out of our comfort zone. Trials and tribulations also help us to have gratitude for when life is going smoothly, after all would you really enjoy and be grateful for the sun without the rainy days? I know I appreciate the sun more after days of rain.
I will admit no one, not even myself, enjoys going through trials and tribulations. One of mine is dealing with chronic pain every day. There is much I want to do, but my body cannot comply and at times I get angry and frustrated and angry at my higher powers and sometimes even think why me? But then I hear my friends voice saying, “why not you?” And she was right. My chronic pain is a reminder to me to listen to my body’s needs and it forces me to take better care of myself, to make healthier choices. It isn’t to punish me but to help me.
Sometimes our trials and tribulations happen to push us in another direction, it may be a direction that you had never thought of or a direction that you have longed for but lacked the courage to take that leap of faith. Trials and tribulations come to make us uncomfortable so we will make a move.
An example of this was when I first started my healing practice, I loved the work and kept getting the message it was time to quit my job as a Church Administrator and do the healing work full-time. But I allowed my fears to hold me back. What if I couldn’t get enough clients? What if I couldn’t make enough money? So, even though I kept feeling the nagging urge to retire from the church and move forward I kept putting it off. Well, I started losing my sight and could no longer do the computer work required to do my job. I was scared, angry, I felt let down by the Universe and I fell into self-pity.
I did the hardest thing and that was turning in my letter of resignation and retiring from the church after 14 years and leaving a job I loved. I had to trust that the Universe had my back, and everything was ok. I committed to doing the healing work full-time and without knowing how I would get clients people just started coming to me and referring others to me, I also started learning about myself and my psychic gifts. I discovered my true calling in life and none of that would have happened if I had stayed in my old job. The trial and tribulation of my eyesight wasn’t to punish me, but to get me to move forward. I was legally blind for three years until I was able to have eye surgery which gave me my sight back.
When we are going through the good times it is easy to be grateful to God, Universe, or whatever you call your higher power. It is easy to trust our higher powers when life is going our way. But do you blame your higher power when things aren’t going smoothly? Do you turn your back away from your faith? Do allow yourself to become a victim? Do you find yourself bargaining with your higher power “if you just give me ….. I will believe!” or “if you just allow ….. I will be grateful and work on my spirituality.”
If you only trust and believe when it’s going well for you that really isn’t true faith. Faith is trusting and believing that no matter what is going on in your life, the good, the bad, and the ugly that you ARE ok! Faith is trusting your higher power especially during the difficult times. It’s knowing that no matter what everything is ok, and everything is happening for your higher good. Our higher powers aren’t here to punish us, they are here to teach us to live outside of our comfort zone.
So, the next time you experience trials and tribulations try surrendering to it. Trust that no matter where you end up you are ok! Remember you aren’t being punished, but rather pushed into a new direction and yes sometimes it takes time to figure out what that direction may be. Listen to your heart’s desire, let it guide you. Do not listen to your fears for that is coming from your ego.
The most important thing to remember, the Universe, God, or whatever you call it will never let you fall. Our higher powers have our backs no matter what and only want for you what is for your highest good.
May you all receive the gifts that come from trials and tribulations with a grateful heart.
Namaste!
Pat Laurino
Intuitive Energy Healer/Psychic and Spiritual Medium
