Plop Plop, Fizz Fizz

Many folks probably remember what comes after the “fizz fizz”. It’s “Oh, what a relief it is” from the iconic Alka Seltzer commercials.Ol’ Speedy has been hawking his antacid since 1951, although the product launched in the 1930’s. According to Advertising Age, the campaign is one of the most popular in advertising history.

Alka Seltzer promises fast relief from acid indigestion, heartburn and pain. The effervescent tablets break up and dissolves away the acid indigestion and pain, according to some of their advertising.

Don’t we live in an Alka Seltzer society today? Most of us crave relief from our trials. Right now! If someone could invent a tablet to help dissipate our trials in 30 minutes, they’d be a bazillionaire faster than you could say “antacid”.

Unfortunately, we know that won’t happen. Trials are a natural part of life. If you’re breathing as you read this, you’ve had trials. And you’ll have more. Don’t we often try to get out from under the pressures of our trials? Wouldn’t we rather avoid suffering than accept our trials?  Do we often pray, “God, get me out of this mess!”?

The Bible tells us God wants us to rejoice in our trials. God’s word shows us the purpose for our trials, how God sees them and uses them.

” . . .now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”1 Peter 1:6-7. If we could live a trial-free life (fat chance) it would stunt our spiritual growth. God allows trials in our life to test our faith.

James tells us, “consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4.

Something good always comes after we go through trials that tests our faith. We may not see the good right away. God does not allow us to experience Alka Seltzer trials. Have you ever endured a trial that only lasted a few hours or a few days? I haven’t and I don’t know anyone who has.

God allows our trials so we can choose to trust Him in the midst of them, remember that He loves us. Remember, in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28). God urges us to rejoice  in our trials because they will increase our faith and mold us into the image of Christ.  That is cause for praise and rejoicing in the midst of our gravest trials.

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