“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4 NIV)

In the Northeast part of the town called Whangarei in New Zealand, the Hatea River drops over a 85 foot (26 meter) basalt flow, forming the majestic Whangarei Falls.

We had arrived in the evening and were taking pictures from the top when someone approached me from behind: “The view is better from the bottom,” she said.

I turned around to face the one who was speaking to me.

“The view of the Whangarei Falls is truly better at the bottom,” she repeated.

It dawned on me then that there must be a way down the cliff to the river below. My wife and I set out on a path that led us through a forest of tree ferns, and eventually we arrived at a picnic area with a spectacular view of the falls. We now had a better grasp of the splendour of these falls. The view truly was better from the bottom!

Isn’t it so in life as well?

When we are walking on air, do we even think of our Forever Friend? Or do we tend to forget about Him completely? Do we realize who He truly is?

Only one thing is for certain: When we are facing trials, we learn to admire how majestic God truly is, especially when we are waiting for Him to come through for us. It doesn’t mean we will have an easy time. Far from that! Even Jesus confirmed this: “In this world you will have trouble.” (John 16:33 NIV). However He will never leave us orphans, and if we are attuned to His voice, we will discover who He truly is.

Why worry when we know we can anticipate that God will come to our aid! “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble.” (Psalm 91:14, 15 NIV).

Although none of us like the valleys of life, they offer us an opportunity to discover how faithful our God truly is.

The view is truly more awesome from the bottom. Contemplate the splendors of our Maker amidst our trials, and we can’t help but rejoice amidst our afflictions.

Rob Chaffart