Why are these trials and tests always coming along? Why does God allow such things to afflict even His begotten children?
From personal experience and from the testimony of many others, I have come to understand that tests and trials are for our good. They sharpen us and stir us to think more deeply about ourselves, about our problems and about the meaning of life. They often motivate us to review our values—to prove all over again what is really important and what is not. They usually help us realize how small we are and how much we need GOD.
Near the end of his first evangelistic tour, the Apostle Paul no doubt meditated on the fact that he had been thrown in jail, beaten, run out of town and even stoned and left for dead at one point. So as he wound up this tour he told the brethren in Antioch, “We must through many tribulations enter the Kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).
Certainly Paul and Barnabas must have been moved to cry out to God over and over as these trials and tests came upon them along the way. I personally remember that on the early baptizing tours in the 1950s, many of us had to pray over and over again for God’s protection and His deliverance as we were often threatened by bad weather, irate unconverted mates or difficult driving conditions. It did, without question, keep us “on our toes” and also on our knees.
The Apostle James was inspired to write, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2–4). Notice that God wants us to learn patience. Most of us usually want what we want, and we want it NOW! God is working with us, fashioning and molding us and helping us come to truly understand and surrender to HIS will. Then He can use us in His Family and in His Kingdom for all eternity. Then we will learn to think like He thinks and to act like He acts and be truly capable of ruling over cities and nations under the Living Jesus Christ.
Peter describes how we are “kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5). Then Peter states: “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (vv. 6–7).
When trials and tests come—as they always do—it is vital that each of us has the right reaction to these trials. We can allow ourselves to become upset, perhaps be angry at circumstances, at others, at our-selves or even at GOD. Or, on the other hand, we can so motivate our-selves and guide our minds so that these trials drive us closer to God, cause us to spend more time on our knees praying, meditating and beseeching God to help us truly understand His purpose and to be more sensitive to His will in every possible way. We can be motivated to study the Bible more fervently. With a fresh perspective, we may be brought to the place where we really, truly, genuinely seek God’s CORRECTION as we study and pray. We may be softened so that our own SELF-will is far less prominent in our thoughts and actions.
If we can humble ourselves and truly grow spiritually through the trials and tests which God allows, we will find ourselves far more GOD-centered. We will learn to carefully, prayerfully seek His direction in every phase and facet of our lives. We will constantly ask ourselves, “How would Jesus Christ respond to this situation?” Then, instead of imagining how Jesus wouldrespond—as so many professing Christians in the world do—we will honestly, open-mindedly study God’s Word to see how Jesus and His faithful servants did respond in circumstances similar to our own. Then we should ask God for the faith and the humility to “go and do likewise.”
Even King David, the man after God’s own heart, had to learn by suffering again and again. David wrote, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word. You are good, and do good; teach me Your statutes. The proud have forged a lie against me, but I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart. Their heart is as fat as grease, but I delight in Your law. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes” (Psalm 119:67–71).
The afflictions God permitted to come on King David brought him to a depth of humility that was pleasing to God. These trials literally forced David to SEEK God even more in his daily life. For, being a man of God, David knew that his trials and afflictions were either directly caused or at the very least permitted by God for David’s own good. Again, David wrote, “I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. (v. 75).
Are you and I as sensitive to God’s will as was King David? Are we constantly and sincerely asking God to “purge” us from our sins and our own vain, selfish ways? Are we regularly meditating on the lessons we can learn from each andevery trial and test that God allows in our lives? Are we constantly focusing on how much closer we can become to the true Jesus Christ who now sits at God’s right hand? How we can reflect Him more perfectly in everything we think, say or do?
Let each of us really take this approach to the trials, tests and afflictions that come upon us. Let us understand more fully the Apostle Paul’s inspired words, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).