I have recently spoken with several people who are in varying degrees of distress. Everything from homelessness to marital problems, lack of financing, and everything in between. And, when people are in the midst of trials such as these, they usually ask, “Why is God allowing this?” “Why do I have trials and suffering?” Or, they wonder if He is punishing them.
The first thing we need to consider when we ask those questions though is, “Am I in the center of God’s will?” Because, if Jesus isn’t Lord of our lives and we are not following after what God desires, then we are going to create trials. When we are the lord of our own lives, we’re going to make mistakes that result in trials and suffering. My life before Christ is a testimony to that fact.
We don’t typically want to take responsibility for the mistakes that we’ve made and the suffering that we’re going through when God is not the Lord of our lives, though. We want to blame someone else, so we choose God. And we say, “He’s punishing us” or that “He’s allowing us to suffer”.
Because, if that’s not the case, then we’re the ones responsible. It’s our poor decisions, desires, and sin that has led us to this place of suffering. And we do not want to take responsibility for our own actions and suffering.
Jesus told us in the scriptures that we would have trials in this life. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.
Even if Christ is Lord of our lives, we will not be immune to those trials. We too will make mistakes (chasing after sin, desire, and making poor decisions) that will cause us to suffer.
But the enemy also causes suffering in our lives. We live in a fallen world in which he causes pain, suffering, sin, and illness. And he loves the suffering of mankind, especially followers of Christ. “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” 1 Peter 5:8-9.
But there is so much hope in the scriptures. They were designed to give us comfort, peace, and hope when we are enduring these trials.
I have a bracelet with one of the most powerful verses of hope engraved inside of it. It is Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
My precious Mother-In-Love gave me that bracelet. The occasion was my first cancer diagnosis. And let me tell you that God does turn trials to good when we love and trust Him.
Then the doctor diagnosed my own daughter with the same kind of cancer. And I praised God for giving it to me first! I didn’t cry, “Why did you allow her to get cancer?!?!” Because cancer is the work of the enemy and mankind together. Sin has caused us to disregard God’s creation and treat it with contempt. Our gluttony and waste create toxins that hide in our foods, workplaces, and even our homes. I thanked God when our daughter got cancer. Not because she got cancer, of course. But because I could help her walk this perilous road.
God had walked with me through my own trial of cancer. And I was so grateful. It allowed me to walk with our daughter and point her to Him. That is one of the beautiful ways that God turns a trial to good for those who love Him. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.
God blesses us when we endure trials and suffering and stay strong in our faith. “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.
When we endure trials, God can strengthen us. “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” Romans 5:4.
Arrogance causes us to ask, “Why is God allowing my suffering?” Even Jesus suffered trials. He (the Savior of the world) left heaven and came to earth in the form of a man. He suffered, was rejected, and was beaten. And He died in our place. “He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Isaiah 53:3.
Who are we to question God. “No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” Romans 9:20 (NLT).
But God also ministers to us in our trials and it allows us to minister to others in their trials. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Cornithians 1:3-4.
Our trials can be very powerful blessings for us and for those around us. They bring glory to God, even if those trials are from the enemy. Because what he means for evil, God means for good. “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Genesis 50:20.
Ultimately, how we endure trials is a matter of trust and faith. We can focus on the trial and wallow in the misery that can accompany it. Or, we can trust God to be true to His word and His promises. We can trust that He does love us (Psalm 136:26). And we can trust that when we rely on Him we are actually stronger than when we rely on ourselves (2 Corinthians 12:9). We can trust that He does want good things for us (Jeremiah 29:11).
And, once we get to the other side of that trial, we can minister to others in their trials and glorify God. Through that trial, God can change the eternity of those around us. This life shorter than the blink of the eye when compared to eternity. And our trials are not even a blip in time. But the impact can be eternal. “For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison”.
Father God, forgive us for wallowing in self-pity. Forgive us for focusing on our trials and suffering… and not Your promises. God, Forgive us for thinking that our trials give us the right to question You or to get mad at You. Forgive us for not recognizing the suffering that You endured, Jesus. Your suffering surpassed anything we will EVER endure. Thank You, Jesus, for Your sacrifice and suffering. Thank You for paying the price for our sin. It’s a price that we could never pay. Holy Spirit, help us to keep our eyes on God and His promises. Help us to rejoice in all circumstances because, all the trials that we will ever endure, pale in comparison to the love and promises of God and what awaits us in eternity.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” Romans 8:18.
Have you been enduring trials and suffering? Most of us have. They can be difficult to get through. But they are a lot easier to endure when we rely on God. If you struggle with how to endure and get through your trials and suffering or how to even rely on God, please go to our Life Preserver page https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/). You will find a prayer outlined on this page. Please pray this prayer. God can — and will — forgive your sins. He will begin to walk through those trials with you and minister to you while you are in them. Through this prayer, God will pour out His forgiveness, peace, and love on you. All that is required is that you pray this prayer (or one like it) from the bottom of your heart. The personal relationship that you can have with God surpasses anything that you can imagine.
Please pray and, once you have, reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com and let me know. I’d love to be in prayer with and for you.
Luv Ya!
