Why is life so difficult at times? For a child blessed with a loving and nurturing family environment, every day is a new adventure, and almost every new experience generates excitement. As we mature beyond childhood, we entertain bright hopes and dreams for the future. However, as we grow older, life often darkens and becomes a series of problems—and these problems usually come at the most inopportune moments, when we least expect or want them! We may even make cynical comments like: “cheer up, it could get worse”—then find that after we cheer up, things really do grow worse!
Why do we experience trials and problems? Are there reasons that life can become so difficult? Each year, millions seek help from psychiatrists, psychologists, ministers and counselors as they attempt to deal with trials. Others turn to friends and neighbors for advice. Sometimes this advice is helpful, yet often one person’s advice conflicts with another’s. Not surprisingly, many use alcohol and drugs as a means to cope or escape from problems—which only leads to more problems. Many do not realize that the Bible contains positive advice and practical, proven guidelines to help us not only deal with trials but even avoid many problems.
Why Trials?
People often consider life’s trials the result of “bad luck” or of sad circumstances beyond their control. People with problems are sometimes ridiculed as ignorant, or as having made stupid decisions. In some cultures where superstitions prevail, trials may be viewed as the results of curses placed by one’s enemies. People with a “religious” perspective may conclude that a trial is a punishment from God, or that God may be trying to “send a message”—but find themselves unable to understand the reason for the punishment, or the message God is sending. In our problem-filled world, many simply shrug off trials as one of the uncomfortable, inevitable and miserable aspects of life.
For a person wrestling with a serious trial, the common explanations are seldom helpful and provide little comfort or consolation. Most people simply do not understand why trials occur in this life, or how to deal with them effectively when they arise. However, our Creator reveals in Scripture some important perspectives on why trials occur, and provides some helpful principles for dealing with serious human problems. David understood this when he wrote: “Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). One of the benefits of knowing God’s Truth is that it sets us free from the doubt and ignorance that plague so many in the world today (John 8:32). Another benefit is that when we experience trials and problems with a proper perspective, we can have greater peace of mind and can even use trials in a positive way that will help us grow (see James 1:2–4). The Bible reveals at least five reasons why trials occur.
- Jesus explained that time and chance happen to many people (Luke 13:1–5). Just because something bad happens to a person does not necessarily mean that he is evil or has committed a great sin. Accidents happen. Storms, floods, fires, earthquakes and other natural disasters affect large numbers of people all the time. Sickness strikes millions every year. Everyone eventually dies. This is a normal part of the human condition in this world.
- The Bible also emphasizes that we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7; Jeremiah 2:19). One of the fundamental lessons we must learn in life is that there are consequences for every decision we make (Hosea 4:9). We reap the benefits of good decisions, and we pay—sometimes dearly—for bad decisions. Sadly, in our misguided world today, many professing Christians claim to “love the Lord”—yet ignore His laws, do as they please, and are surprised and dismayed when problems arise.
- One unique biblical perspective that most psychological counselors ignore is that human beings have an adversary—Satan the devil (1 Peter 5:8). The word “Satan” literally means adversary. This powerful, evil spirit being acts like a roaring lion, seeking whomever he can devour and destroy by whatever means he can. If he can use trials to discourage and disillusion us, he will! He will seek any opportunity available to deceive us, mislead us, or divert us onto doctrinal tangents and personal missions that feed our vanity and ultimately destroy us (1 Timothy 5:14). Satan’s goal is not only to keep the Truth from the world, but to keep those who are called from being in the Kingdom of God. Whenever he can, he will use trials to further that goal.
- Another biblical perspective is that God allows us to be tested to help us grow (1 Peter 4:12–13; Hebrews 12:5–11). Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Job, Daniel, Jeremiah, the prophets, the Apostles—and indeed every individual with whom God has chosen to work—has had to face trials and learn how to deal with them. You and I will not be exceptions to the rule. Jesus told His disciples: “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He was indicating that by looking to Him, and following His example, we can also overcome trials that we encounter.
- A sobering biblical perspective is that God fashions severe trials and even disasters, to teach powerful lessons to those who are willfully disobedient. God told Jeremiah to warn the rebellious nation of Israel what would occur if it did not repent of its evil actions: “Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you” (Jeremiah 18:6–11). God instructed Ezekiel to deliver a similar message to Israelites who rejected His laws: “My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity; I will repay you according to your ways, and your abominations… disaster will come upon disaster” (Ezekiel 7:9, 25–26). These prophecies will find their ultimate fulfillment in the coming chastisement of our modern backsliding, independent-minded Israelite nations in the years just ahead. Even in the formative days of the early Church, when Ananias and his wife lied, they died suddenly to provide a stunning object lesson to those with eyes to see (Acts 5:1–11).
When a trial arises, we face two fundamental challenges if we are going to grow. First, we need to make the effort to understand why the trial has arisen in our lives. This will help us identify changes we can make in our lives to avoid having to face a similar situation in the future. Second, we must also focus on learning how to deal with and overcome the trial we are facing. Unless we address these two challenges, we will not grow as a result of the trial. Again, the Bible offers extremely helpful advice.
Biblical Guidelines
When trials occur, it is a “natural” tendency to think: “Woe is me.” We sometimes want to cry and complain that we do not deserve this negative turn of events, and we look for others with whom to commiserate, who will help us justify ourselves in our plight. It is also quite common to feel discouraged and to look for ways to ignore, avoid or escape from a trial, or to pray that the problem will just go away! However, we often have no choice but to endure a trial. The question then becomes: how do you deal with a trial, once you have begun to understand the reasons why it has arisen?
How do you avoid or deal with trials that arise by accident or chance? Jesus told His disciples, when He sent them into a dangerous world, that they must “be wise as serpents” (Matthew 10:16). Proverbs tells us that a wise person recognizes dangerous situations and takes steps to avoid them (Proverbs 22:3). The bottom line is: stay alert and be careful! Drive carefully, live carefully and be circumspect in your actions. Do not take foolish chances. Do not engage in risky behaviors, such as drunkenness, smoking, gambling or promiscuous sexual activity. Keep sensible hours. Do not stay out late at night, especially on holidays when many accidents, crimes and assaults occur. Watch weather forecasts when you are about to travel. By wisely following these simple, common sense guidelines, you can avoid many trials that might otherwise be attributed to “time and chance.” God’s protection is a blessing that one who obeys His laws can expect to receive (Psalm 91). This supernatural protection is also available for our children (Matthew 19:13–15; 18:10). Jesus’ basic instruction was to act wisely, obey His instructions and not worry unnecessarily about problems.
How do we avoid or deal with trials that are caused by consequences of our own actions? The Bible reveals that blessings come from obedience to the laws of God, and curses come from disobedience to those laws (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). Proverbs explains that “when a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7). Life involves making choices at every minute and every hour of every day. The sooner we learn to make wise choices—to obey the laws and instructions in God’s word instead of ignoring, reasoning around or compromising those laws—the smoother our lives will become, and the fewer trials we will bring upon ourselves. The longer it takes to learn this basic lesson, the more difficult our lives will be as a consequence of our own decisions (Deuteronomy 30). This is why the Bible places such an emphasis on parents teaching their children the laws of God from an early age (Deuteronomy 4:1–10; Proverbs 22:6). If we learn the laws of God, and if we remember and choose to follow those laws, we will enjoy the benefits (Proverbs 3:1–2) throughout our lives—and create fewer trials for ourselves.
Much of Scripture was inspired to help us understand the importance of learning to make wise decisions. Throughout the book of Proverbs, we are urged to observe and learn from the experiences of others, so that we can avoid making the same mistakes (Proverbs 1:20–27). We are advised to “ponder the path of our feet”—to think about the potential consequences of decisions and actions that we contemplate (Proverbs 4:26). Being receptive to advice and instruction—especially from parents—can help us avoid serious problems (Proverbs 6:20–23). Our choice of friends will also bring consequences: “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed” (Proverbs 1:10–19; 13:20; 14:7). Many trials that develop in life come as a result of wrong or unwise choices, often made by individuals who know (or should know) better.
How do we deal with trials generated by our adversary, Satan? To effectively deal with this cunning and adversarial spirit being, we need not only wisdom, but also spiritual discernment and spiritual strength. One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is a sound mind capable of spiritual discernment (2 Timothy 1:6–7). We are told that God gives His Spirit to those who obey His laws and instructions (Acts 5:32), to those who are willing to be led by God’s Spirit (Romans 8:14), and to those who nourish that Spirit daily (2 Corinthians 4:16) through regular prayer and Bible study. To battle successfully we must be able to recognize Satan’s attempts to deceive, discourage, or derail us through various temptations and trials, and resist those attempts by putting on the “whole armor of God” (Ephesians 6:10–19; James 4:7). Spiritually protective armor includes knowing and living by the truth of God, showing real love for God and our neighbor, believing God’s instructions and promises, nourishing and being led by the Holy Spirit and being watchful at all times of the dangerous activities of our spiritual adversary. We simply invite spiritual trials when we assume we can discard various pieces of this vital spiritual armor.
How do we handle the trials that God permits us to have to help us grow? We must learn to view trials from a positive perspective. James wrote that, instead of thinking “woe is me” and running away, we should rejoice in trials, because the effort required to overcome them will yield positive fruits (James 1:2–4). To view trials in this manner, we must understand and believe that “all things work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28), that our Father knows our limitations and “will also make a way of escape” (1 Corinthians 10:13), and that once He has begun a work in us He will see it through to completion (Philippians 1:3–6). To maintain this perspective, we must remain strong, faithful and focused on our calling and on God’s way of life, and we must “endure to the end” without compromising or giving up (Matthew 24:13; Hebrews 12:1–11). We should be motivated by the understanding that rewards go to those who actually finish the race (1 Corinthians 9:24–27) and learn to be overcomers. Instead of allowing ourselves to become complainers or escape artists, we need to become problem solvers! As we learn to deal with our own trials and solve our own problems, we are preparing to help others with theirs.
But that leaves one more trial—how do you deal with severe trials that God brings your way? Most of the severe trials we read about in Scripture came as a result of willful and continued disobedience to the laws of God. Paul warns that God will not be mocked (Galatians 6:7). Not only will He let us reap what we sow, He will orchestrate punishment to teach unforgettable lessons to the disobedient, and also to those bystanders who have witnessed the disobedience (see Ezekiel 5:14–15; Acts 5:11). To avoid experiencing trials of this nature, or to deal with such a situation should it arise, we must be willing to carefully examine ourselves—our motives and our actions—in the clear light of God’s word (1 Corinthians 11:27–32). We must be willing to repent—to admit where we have been wrong as David did—to ask earnestly that God will forgive us and point us in the right direction (see Psalm 51). There is a way through even these severe trials, but we are playing with fire when we allow ourselves to fall into this situation. We need to remember that God is not playing games. There is a real lake of fire for the incorrigible—those who will not listen or learn—and it will be the final destination for such people. This should motivate each of us to be very careful about “doing our own thing”! Instead, we must humbly and diligently seek to obey God’s instructions, heed His warnings, and follow the Christian example and instructions of those whom God has chosen to lead His work. That is what Jesus did and taught. By following His example, we can avoid ever having to face the severe trials that God will bring on those who insist on doing things their own way.
Nobody likes a trial. Trials are not pleasant. Yet trials are part of the human experience. Many can be avoided if we remain alert to potentially dangerous situations, and learn to consider the consequences of any decision we make. We can also avoid serious trials if we seek out—and are receptive to—wise counsel and advice. When we cannot avoid trials, the Bible offers us the encouraging perspective that God uses trials to help us grow, and that He will help us through the trials when we do our part. If we learn how to deal with the problems of life, and we develop the skills and character necessary to overcome trials that are common to all human beings, God will be able to use us to rule with Jesus Christ and to reeducate the peoples of this world in the coming Kingdom of God. The trials we face and overcome in this life can become stepping-stones to an awesome and rewarding future.