Trials – nobody wants them but for the Christian they are a necessary part of helping us to become more conformed to the image of Christ. And while the trials we often go through are usually not pleasant, just having the knowledge that they are helping us become more Christlike should bring a deep sense of joy to our souls. So, rather than look at the trials and tribulations we go through in the negative, I choose to thank God for them because I know they will make me a better Christian and help me bring more glory to the Father.
And the more we allow trials to conform us to the image of Christ the more we can relate to what the Apostle Paul proclaimed in (Romans 8:18): “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
The late New York City pastor, Timothy Keller, summed up trials and tribulations well when he shared: “No one is exempt from trials and tribulations. In fact, this is often what happens to people God loves very much, for it is part of God’s often mysterious and good plan for turning us into something great.”1 And just what is this greatness that trials allow us to see in ourselves?
For starters as we view trials as exciting opportunities to shine for Jesus we begin to understand that they are necessary aids to experience amazing blessings in life. I like what A. B. Simpson shares here: “There are two ways of getting out of a trial. One is simply to try to get rid of the trial, and be thankful when it is over. The other is to recognize the trial as a challenge from God to claim a larger blessing than we have ever had, and to hail it with delight as an opportunity of obtaining a larger measure of divine grace.”2
Another awesome use of the trials that come our way is that as we accept them as challenges from God, we can use them to help us draw nearer and more dependent on the Lord, which is the best place in the world to be. Trials, if viewed properly, will send us to the Bible, drive us to our knees in prayer, and even allow us to rejoice in the entire process of overcoming them by trusting in the Lord.
But perhaps the greatest blessing that comes from the trials of life is that God, if we are willing, will use them not only for our ultimate good and glory, but for His glory! Scripture tells us what we can receive as we use the trials of life as instruments to bring glory to Jesus: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” (2 Corinthians 4:17). But as exciting as this glory, which we accrue in heaven is, our trials serve an even most glorious thought – they become the ultimate springboard to glorify God!
As we travel on the road of life every trial we face serves as an opportunity to trust and rely on Jesus to help us endure it, rejoice in it, and give praise to the Lord for it. And when we do this we glorify Jesus greatly, for we read: “Whoever offers praise glorifies Me…” (Psalm 50:23).
Imagine, how the trials of life are helping us accumulate an eternal weight of glory for ourselves, and being used to glorify our heavenly Father! I can’t think of anything more joyous than this combination of glory!
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