I love that we deem the Magi who came to visit Jesus the “wise men.” This is significant since there is no greater virtue we can aspire to as Christ-followers than wisdom. While we need this heavenly treasure in every season of our lives, it is especially important in the winter, when we are enduring any measure of suffering.

Unfortunately, our inclination on dark days is to ask “Why is this happening to me?” In our attempts to ascribe meaning to our pain, we find ourselves trying to figure out the unsearchable mind of God and develop our own interpretation of our circumstances. Sadly, this futile effort leads us to catastrophic thinking, because with a limited perspective, we may choose to blame ourselves for what we’re going through. While there are consequences associated with behavior that misses the mark, the difficulties we endure in our lives are not meant to take us down or to harm us. God’s heart towards His beloved is never one of punishment or vengeance. The truth is that the best and most prudent thing we can do in the midst of difficulties and trials is to ask the Lord for wisdom. 

Friend, Jesus loves it when you pray for knowledge and wisdom before you pray for deliverance. Even if you are extremely uncomfortable, be willing to stay in the fire as long as it takes to grow in Christlikeness and character. Like the Magi of long ago, embrace the unfamiliar and journey long and far through the wilderness to find, worship, and become like your Savior.