Dear 2025,

Every year I write a letter to the New Year. I started this around 6 years ago now, and it’s been very interesting to see how this tradition has evolved, and to read the letters from past years. Originally it was a sort of year in review, as I’d talk about all the things that happened the previous year, and state some hopes for the coming year. However, over time it has become more of a reflection on the things God has taught me in the previous year, and thoughts on what I may hope to learn in the coming year. So, I thought I’d share something that might end up in my letter this year.

Dear 2025,

Last week mum and I were talking about how to encourage people going through trials. I was thinking about how people don’t always get to learn how to encourage others, because unless you’ve gone through a big trial yourself, it’s really hard to understand and know the best way to help someone. I explained this thought to mom saying, “You know, not a lot of people get to go through really big trials early in life, and sometimes not even when they get older.” She looked surprised and said “Get to go through?” I had not thought previously of the fact that most people might not think about it this way.

My belief that going through trials is a gift is based on a lot of things I’ve been learning this year. When we get to heaven, these trials and irritations and temptations and sorrows that we face here on earth will be over. And it seems to me, that instead of longing and reaching constantly for that time, we can give the Lord a marvelous gift and praise in our response to trials here on earth. This is a gift that someday we can’t give anymore, so our time here on earth becomes doubly important, because we get to bring Him joy in our response to the difficulties we face here in life. I think this is one of the reasons James instructs us to count it all joy when we face trials. The testing of our faith does produce endurance, as James says, but also, the purpose of that response to trials is that we might better glorify our Lord. After all, is that not the purpose of the endurance, that we might persevere to the end and in doing so shine a light for all to see, and bring joy to our Lord? The idea that we, tiny tiny human beings that we are, insignificant in such a vast universe, can, by the smallest action of obedience—even just by smiling in the face of suffering—bring joy and honor to the Lord is just incredible to me.

So, that’s why I think suffering is an honor. It’s a gift. I get to choose everyday in my response to circumstances that arise to give the Lord a gift that I could not give otherwise! Of course, I fail constantly. But the fact still remains that no matter how incapable I am in so many ways I can still be of use to our Almighty King.

So. That’s something that will be in my letter to 2025 this year. I’m so grateful the Lord continues to teach me through all the things I go through. The fact that out of this year I could still have learned something of Him, despite being out of my head a good bit of the time, is another testament to His goodness and mercy.

Happy New Year friends, may the Lord bring you so much joy this year in Him. Soli Deo Gloria.