Hardship Is a Required Ingredient | Lana Bach, COMPASS in the Storm

I am not the best cook and I am certainly not the best baker, but I know that one of the hardest cakes in the world to make is an opera cake. Layers of almond sponge, buttercream and chocolate ganache, and it demands precision. You cannot throw it in the oven and hope.

I think each of us is a one-of-a-kind specialty cake that God is making from scratch for a one-of-a-kind purpose. We are not boxed Christians.

Some of the ingredients are sweet. Some of them are bitter, and they are measured just as carefully, and added at a specific time for a deliberate reason.

What You’ll Hear In This Episode

Timing matters as much as the trial itself
What James says trials are for
The line I keep coming back to, that the Lord is uniquely making each of us from scratch
Why patience is the instruction here, and not effort

Scripture In This Episode

James 1:12. “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

Full Transcript

Transcribed from the episode audio. Names, places and scripture references have been corrected, and caption noise has been removed.

Okay, so I’m not the best cook. In fact, I’m not even the best baker. But I do know this. One of the most difficult cakes to make in the world is called an opera cake. It’s said that this cake is the true test of your pastry skills.

Layers upon layers of almond sponge, buttercream, and chocolate ganache. This French delicacy demands precision. Are you hungry yet? The hardest cakes to make are very complex, requiring a combination of various techniques, precise temperature control, and very delicate assembly. You can’t just throw anything in the oven and hope it comes out perfect.

I wish the oven temperature must be perfect, and cooking time must be exact. I believe that each of us is like a one-of-a-kind specialty cake that God is meticulously crafting for a one-of-a-kind purpose. I’m not talking boxed cake. We are not boxed Christians. The Lord is uniquely making each of us from scratch.

Each ingredient is perfectly measured and thoughtfully planned to be added at a specific time for a deliberate reason in our lives. The batter of life is kind of like cake batter. Some ingredients will be sweet like the sweet blessings we receive from God. However, other ingredients like the necessary trials we face in life will be bitter. Each trial is unique and the timing is key.

They serve different purposes and yield different results. James explains that these trials are essential for achieving spiritual maturity and making us more like Jesus. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” So, friend, be patient. It will take time for the master to create you into that one-of-a-kind masterpiece for his glory.

Every trial you encounter in life is a necessary ingredient in the cake batter of your life. If you’re looking for powerful, uplifting stories that will offer you hope and strengthen your faith, be sure to click the subscribe button so you don’t miss our monthly podcast. And friend, no matter what storm you are facing or how broken you feel, remember the Lord walks with you. God bless you and stay the course.