Trials

Submitted by: Beryl Susan

James 1:2,3: Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

Everyone goes through hard times. It is nothing to be dejected about. Trials comes from God. God gives trials to His children, to make them stronger in the Lord. He does not want us to be like a baby always; but He wants us to grow in the Lord. When we overcome one trial with the grace of God, we will be able to minister to others who go through similar trials If we are filled with anger and bitterness or insist on complaining and blaming God, things tend to turn from bad to worse. If you go through the trials with thankfulness and praise to God, then He will bring good things.

God is our Father and we are His children. So, without His knowledge nothing will happen to His children. During each trial if we trust that God would bail us out of it, then God will definitely bestow upon us the strength to wade through our testing times. In Romans 8:28: "We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. We are privileged people bought with His precious blood. Praise the Lord!

When you go through a trial, you need to know that, you are not alone, and that He is with you and His promises are with you. This will give you the strength to overcome the trial. In 2 Corinthians 1:20: For as many as may be the promises of God, in Him they are Yes; wherefore also by Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.

I am unable to recollect a personal trial that did not make my faith grow deeper and bring me closer to God. Even though the trial itself was very intense, I had little appreciation of where I was headed. This is because when I prayed through every rough spot, I found my faith growing and my walk with God deepening.

If someone is going through a difficult time, carry it in prayer, but don't carry the burden. Even though you may want to, don't try to take away their load and make it yours. Because, God doesn't want you to do His job. He doesn't want you trying to be Holy Spirit to them/yourself. Even though it hurts to see them struggle and you want to fix it, you can't. You can pray, encourage and support. But God uses trials for His purpose and you must stay out of His way. In Psalm 55:22: Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

Trials can be purifying fire and a cleansing water. We don't want to get burnt or drowned in the problems but want to get refined and renewed. God has promised in Romans 8:37: But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. In Mathew 24:13: "But the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved. It is the determination of us to stand strong in faith and wait for God to answer our prayers that will save us from the heat and keep us afloat. In 1Peter 1:6,7:In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

God bless you.