Trials – God's Purpose in Our Difficulties

No Christian is exempt from trials. Yet Scripture shows that adversity, received from God's loving hand, is His planned means of fashioning us into people who reflect the character of His Son.

Why Trials Come – A Divine Purpose

As Christians, we are not immune or shielded from difficult events, because they have the potential to develop godly character and an eternal reward. If we respond correctly, we can survive and even rejoice in them, realising He uses them to shape us into people who reflect His nature (Rom 8:28; 2 Cor 4:17-18; 1 Pet 3:4). We are destined for adverse situations, for "We must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God" – so don't let them unsettle you; instead, welcome them from His loving hand (Act 14:22; 1 Thes 3:3).

Trials are appointments, not accidents

God is continually with us and wants to conform us to the image of Jesus, so co-operate with His sculpting of our character and ministry even if at times it is painful (Mt 28:20; Rom 8:29; Heb 13:5). During difficult times look ahead with faith to see what can be accomplished in us through this experience rather than asking why in self-pity (2 Cor 8:2; Heb 12:2). Hold on to the promises of Scripture that He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle with His help, nor will He ever leave us, and the assurance that through our Lord Jesus Christ we will come out victorious (1 Cor 10:13, 15:57; Heb 13:5).

Although we are in a spiritual battle, Satan has no authority over the believer in Christ. Nor should we think that Satan causes everything that does not minister to our ego: we live in a fallen world, where hardship and loss are part of the human condition, and not every difficulty is a direct demonic attack. Rather, God remains sovereign over what comes against us, using it to build character and fulfil His purposes. Joseph could say to the brothers who sold him into slavery, "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (Gen 50:20) – what others, or the enemy, intend for harm, our Father intends for our growth and His glory. God has given us His Word to guide us, His Holy Spirit to enable us, and the privilege of coming to Him anywhere, at any time, to pray about anything.

No trial is ever aimless in God's hands

Responding Correctly – Co-operating with God

The Bible states, "Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering"; however, this should be because you are living obediently to God, not as a result of personal wrongdoing and poor decision-making – yet even then God uses those sufferings to shape us for His purposes and our ultimate good (1 Pet 4:12-16). We should choose to co-operate with God, not fight against His purposes, recognising there are always consequences for our actions. We must recognise our dependency on Him and accept His grace to deal with the situations, or else we will grow bitter.

If we respond correctly, trials develop godly character and result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ returns (Rom 5:3-5; Jas 1:2-4,12; 1 Pet 1:6-7). Thus trials have a purpose – to refine our character so it more closely resembles that of Jesus – and an everlasting reward: "the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him".

Scripture pictures this as the refiner's fire: as gold is melted in the furnace so its dross can be drawn off (1 Pet 1:7), so the heat of trial burns away self-pity, pride and self-reliance – not to destroy us, but to leave a purer faith. And the process is complete only when the Refiner can see His own reflection in the metal (Rom 8:29).

The furnace that refines, not destroys

Reflection and Application

In my current trial, am I looking ahead in faith at what God is accomplishing, or asking why in self-pity?
Is my suffering the fruit of obedience, or of my own poor decisions?
Am I co-operating with God's sculpting of my character, or fighting against His purposes?
In difficulty, do I draw on His Word, His Spirit and prayer, or on my own strength?