Do Trials in Life Make or Break you?

I’m not going to pretend that I’m okay. In fact, this week has been one of my toughest in years. I have dealt with every sort of temptation and trial imaginable. I think everyone can comprehend what I am talking about, you will have those days or weeks were nothing is going your way, where it seems the entire world is against you.

Do you think that Satan actually wants you to be happy..? Of course not, his goal is to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).

So why does temptation happen in life, why does God allow trials.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12) 

We read in James that we will encounter trials, and those that withstand the temptation will reap benefits.

So why does God allow trials….?

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (1 Peter 5:10)

He does this for a reason, he wants us to be strengthened in him. If we do not grow we will not be prosperous Spiritually.

So trials and tribulations in life is inevitable. We will encounter them whether we want them or not…So how are we to deal with them…? Well the simple answer is stay strong in prayer.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ( Romans 12:12)

We are emotional creatures and we will struggle with this. Although I know everything is in Gods hands, that doesn’t stop me from taking on the burden in my heart. That doesn’t stop me from stressing out and making rash decisions. We as humans often times think that everything in life is Gods plan, yet always get in the way of Gods plan.

What I mean is by somehow making a situation worse and then saying “oh, I guess it wasn’t Gods will.” Well, granted if you would actually be patient- like it says in Romans, maybe God would be able to do his work.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6)

The problem is we as humans are not very trusting, we don’t trust people when we can see facts right in front of us, how can we trust a God that we cannot see, especially when we are asked to believe through faith. We need to learn to be more trusting in God, for you are not in control but God is.  

So what do you do when you are dealing with trials..? Well, I think removing yourself from the eye of the storm helps. If you are trying to avoid a tornado you don’t drive towards it..you drive away from it. However, this isn’t always an option, and often times we are asked to just be patient and wait out the storm. Because it’s always calm before a storm and a storm will always follow a rainbow (Gods promise).

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:2). 

Every trial believe it or not yields a benefit. Once the trial has passed you will be stronger in your walk with Christ. And we see here it is referring to perfectness- this doesn’t mean to be completely perfect but you will be Spiritually mature. The testing of faith drives believers to deeper communion and greater trust in Christ. This will produce a stable, godly, and righteous character.

And when we ask in faith with no doubt God will answer. We morally distrust God, and we morally do not wanna believe He exists. So our doubt often times causes our prayers to go unanswered and our faith to take a good shaking. A doubt-minded mind is a person that occasionally believes in God, but is a hypocrite. He will not receive Gods answer, for his lack of faith keeps him from the results.

If you lack something in life, whether it be wisdom or simply a healthy relationship. Pray in confidence and with no doubt and God will answer.

We all know the story of Job and how he endured some of the worst trials imaginable. Job’s troubles begin after God presents him to Satan as shining example of virtue. “Have you considered my servant Job?” God asks Satan. “There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil” (Job 1:8).

And God was right, Job knew God and with his great faith and obedience he was able to conquer the greatest trials. Many of you might be going through something right now that might seem like the end of the world, and its okay. We often times take things close to heart, and quite frankly if you just don’t care then you  have another problem. Maybe at that point asking God for a heart would be a good start. But for the rest of us, Just be patient and God will be there before you know it.

If you don’t see God among all the chaos, Just remember this….what does the teacher do during a test..? He sits patiently and waits for the test to be over..!