Faith in trials has sustained many believers through life’s most difficult times. Walking through life’s problems with the Lord changes us as we become different people on the other side. Trials often show us what is essential in life and that the Lord is always there no matter what.
You may be in a trial right now, and the Lord wants to assure you of His love for you and that He is walking with you through this valley. Problems often draw us closer to God because He is the only one who can sustain us in the storms of life. In many ways, our faith in Jesus is the anchor that keeps us from being washed away when the waves of life sweep over us.
Trials Test Us
Trials test us and show us our strengths and weaknesses. 1 Peter 1:6So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. [1] Peter reminds us that no matter the trial we are in, it is only temporary and to look to Jesus, who is eternal. No matter my difficulties, there will come a day when the Lord will take me to heaven, where the trials in life will be a fading memory. Peter also tells us that trials give us insight into our faith.
1 Peter 1:7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory, and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. [2]
Knowing my faith is genuine reassures me that I am truly a child of God. As His child, God is there to watch over and protect me. Like gold, people need refining, and trials take the rough edges off us like a rock in a tumbler. Problems can be humbling as the Lord teaches us things we can only learn by suffering.
Trials Prepare Us for the Journey Ahead
Trials in life can discipline me when I have wandered from God’s path to bring me back to the way the Lord desires. Psalm 119:67I used to wander off until you disciplined me, but now I closely follow your word. [3] Other times, trials prepare us for what God has ahead of us.
Joseph, the son of Jacob, went through great trials when he was sold into slavery by his brothers. Joseph realized in retrospect that through years of trials, the Lord was preparing Him to be used mightily by Him as a leader in Egypt. Without Joseph’s trials, it would have been difficult for him to have such responsibility.
How has the Lord used difficulties in your life? How did it change you and your relationship with Jesus? If you are in a severe trial now, know the Lord is with you and loves you beyond measure.
To learn more about faith in trials, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/jesus-hope
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.