Trial Trail

By Laura Loveberry Elementary School Assembly

Author/Speaker Inspirational Speaker Women’s Retreats/Conferences Caricature Artist

Life is the Berries

Trial Trail

Flipping the vowel order changes the perspective on our “trials.” Our “trial” can transform to a “trail” by switching the letters “i” and “a” around. A trail path can twist and turn with hills and valleys, leading to a worthy destination. Trials can discourage and plop to depressive reactions. Trials can pivot to positive responses when applying my “trail” theory.

Don’t waste the hurt. No pain—no gain. We develop character, empathy, and sensitivity on the rough journey. Our opportunities to minister expand when people trust us to speak into their lives because we walked a similar sidewalk.

Our hardships connect us to a hurting community.

I earned the privilege of encouraging women in adversity. As a barren woman, my hubster and I had 12 failed adoptions. Yes, a dozen birth moms changed their minds on us. We experienced rollercoaster years before we adopted our son and daughter. Now I minister as an inspirational speaker/author, sharing the life-lifting power of Jesus. Women tell me their hard stories. We pray and lift one another up. My testimony opened a trail of 25 years of ministry on overcoming with Jesus. Wonderful!

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish work so you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything,” (James 1:2-3 NIV).

What’s your trouble God can flip to a treasure to minister to others?

My friend believed the lies, making a choice she so regrets. It devastated her. She found healing in Jesus. Now she ministers to women seeking the same mental restoration and freedom in Christ.

A colleague was brutally raped. Horrific. She wrapped around the genuine love found in Jesus. Currently, she ministers to women on the speaking trail sharing the impact of Jesus to pull women out of the darkest pits.

A sister in Christ and her hubster experienced financial debt. They crawled out. They offer a financial peace type of class at church to encourage couples to be fiscally responsible and debt free. Their money anxieties developed an avenue of success for themselves and others.

Got trials? Flip the vowels. Make it your trail.