The truth about trials

(By Michael Larsen. May 10, 2020.)

It’s easy to believe that God loves us when everything is going well. But when pain and suffering or a pandemic come into our lives, sometimes we forget the truth we know. The truth in our head doesn’t reach to our heart. Today I want to share with you 5 truths about trials that the Bible gives us.

1. Our Trials Are a Process with a Purpose

James 1:2 says “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” How can we consider trials joyfully? V.3“because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”

And do we want perseverance? V.4“Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James is saying that we can know that pain is a process with a purpose. And knowing that purpose or end result of the suffering will help us to look at the trial with joy. 

2. Our Trials Are Common

1 Corinthians 10:13 begins “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.”

This word “temptation” is the same word for “trial.” You are not the only one who has gone through this kind of problem. If you are suffering through a trial, it helps to find someone who has gone through something similar, even if it’s just in a book. It can be a comfort and inspiration to us to hear of others who have gone through the same kind of trial in a victorious way. And then later, we can also be a comfort to those who suffer in a way we have suffered.

3. Our Trials Are Bearable

1 Corinthians 10:13 continues “And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.”

God never allows more suffering than we can bear. Would try to force your child to carry a 100 pound backpack to school? No way! Because you love and care for them, you are sensitive to how much they can carry. Our trouble may seem unbearable. However, we can know that if God has permitted it, we can bear it. Responding with bitterness or anger can make the trouble seem heavier than it is.

4. God Helps Us through Our Trials

1 Corinthians 10:13 concludes “But when you are tempted (tested), he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

2 Peter 2:9 also says “The Lord knows how to rescue godly people from trials.” God will deliver us if we trust Him. Sometimes we feel like God has forgotten us. We plan our own way of escape. God has options we can’t even dream of. When we are faithful and patient, God will, in His perfect timing, deliver us from trouble. 

5. God’s Power Is at Work in Our Trials.

God’s power at work, we know that it is working in at least 3 ways.

     1.  God’s power is working to bring good out of bad. Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” 

     2.  God’s power is working to deal with our enemies. Romans 12:19-21 says “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” 

     3.  God’s power is working to hold onto us. 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” You are God’s treasure. God will keep you from falling. Sometimes when you are walking with a small child and holding their hand, they trip and almost fall. If you hadn’t been holding their hand, they would have fallen. The Bible tells us that god holds us with His right hand. Just as we protect small children by holding their hand, God’s power keeps us from destruction.

There’s never an easy way to go through trouble, but there’s always a right way. The right way is by faith to consider it pure joy. God’s purpose for trials is to make us grow into maturity. Is that your purpose for your life? Or is your purpose to be rich and comfortable and always happy? Our character is much more important to God than our comfort. Archibald MacLeish said “There’s only one thing more painful than learning from experience, and that is not learning from experience.” God never wastes our sorrows if we respond with faith. God will do what is necessary to make us more like Jesus. The measure of how productive trials have been in our life is how much more we are like Jesus as a result of them.