Baptist City Blog

One of the results of having trials in life is that it softens your heart. As I look over my ministry, there have been trials that God sent my way to soften my heart. When saying that God softened my heart, it wasn't that I didn't care for people, but the compassion to help and the tears to weep with those who weep wasn't where it should be. Every trial that God sent my way had a way of softening my heart towards God and those who are hurting.

Everybody at some time needs to have their heart softened. Life tends to harden us towards people, and God knows that the only way to soften our hearts is by sending trials our way. Job admitted to this in the verse above. He said, “For God maketh my heart soft…”The trials that he endured softened his heart so that he would become more pliable for God’s work. There are a few thoughts we can glean from this verse that will help us with our trials.

First, let the trials you face be a tool in God’s hand to make you more into His image. One of the definitions of the word “soft” is, “easy to mold.” In other words, God allows you to go through hard times to mold you more into His image. When you look at those whom God has used, you will always find that they became more like Him through their trials. Why? Because they became more moldable during that time, which caused them to come forth as gold. You can either allow your trials to make you soft or hard. Naomi went through hard times and became a bitter woman; whereas, Job endured greater trials and allowed them to make his heart soft. If you yield to the hand of God in the time of trial, the tender heart will allow Him to mold you more into His image causing you to come forth as gold.

Second, trials have a way of softening your outlook on the hardships that others face. Isn't it amazing how those who have endured a certain trial tend to have a softer heart towards those who are presently enduring the same thing? Trials have a way of doing this to you. If you allow the trial to mold you into God’s image, it will also cause you to be more tender towards those who are facing what you have already faced. God allows you to go through hardships because He knows it will help you to be a better help to those who have endured the same thing.

Third, don't try to soften another’s heart, only God can do it. One of the complaints I get from pastors about young staff is that they don’t have the compassion the pastor would like them to have. I always tell the pastor that over time their heart will soften. The reason I know it will soften is because over time they will endure trials. You need to be careful about trying to play God in another’s life by trying to make them have a softer heart. Only God can make a heart soft. In His timing, He will allow them to face the trials at the right time to soften their heart toward others. You are going to have to trust the sovereignty of God in this area.

Are you in the midst of a trial? Have trials come your way and you wonder why? Instead of allowing the trials to harden your heart, let them soften you towards God and others. Ask God to show you where you need to have a softer heart and work on the areas He shows you.