In a recent church service, my friend Bob shared his testimony of how he was able to deal with his battle with cancer. As he shared, one comment really hit home regarding the promises of God. He said: “In fact, in addition to salvation what He did promise were trials and tribulation!”
As I began to think of all the wonderful promises in the Bible trials and tribulation were not at the top of my list. In fact, before Bob made this statement I probably wouldn’t have even thought of trials and tribulation as one of His promises; and certainly not a promise I would want to receive. You see when we tend to think of God’s promises we normally think of the promises that bring joy to our heart, not pain and suffering. But the Scriptures are clear that as Christians we will have to endure tribulation. (John 16:33) says: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Not only that but just listen to what the Lord says the Apostle Paul should expect as a Christian: “But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.’” (Acts 9:15-16).
As certain as God promises salvation to all who put their trust in Jesus, He also promises us suffering, trials, and tribulation as we live out our Christian walk. Since God tells us in (Romans 8:28): “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose,” we can be confident that even our trials can be used for good. I believe the psalmist understood this when he proclaimed: “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.” (Psalm 119:71). You see when we go through afflictions we learn to rely totally on the Lord for deliverance.
Trials also teach us to draw closer to Jesus. Trials teach us perseverance and test our faith. And it’s only when our faith is tested can it grow and mature in Christ. I love what it says in (1 Peter 1:6-7): “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” You see trials shouldn’t be viewed as negatives but as positive opportunities to bring praise, honor, and glory to our Lord.
Trials help teach us to stay close to Jesus and teach us the importance of obedience to God’s commands. In fact, even Jesus in His earthly body learned obedience through His trials. For we read: “who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” (Hebrews 5:7-8).
So, the next time we go through trials and tribulation let’s thank God for giving us the opportunity to persevere under them, see our faith grow, and ultimately bring glory to Jesus! Viewing trials and suffering this way will help you immensely in dealing with them when they come. I pray that God gives all of us the attitude toward trials that we read in (James 1:2-4): “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
Good morning Curt! Thank you for a thought-provoking message. I believe this is one of the reasons the modern church has faltered and it’s because many leaders stopped preaching the warning that we will indeed have trials in our lives. Is it any wonder that so many people who come to church, answer an altar call, and attend church for a time, end up leaving when circumstances in their lives become too much for them to bear. Through no fault of their own, they lose faith in God, believing that He was supposed to make life nice and rosy for them, not understanding that He would give them the strength to get through the rough times. Again, a very timely message. Thanks again and God bless you both!