We always hear Christians say things like “I have been doing everything right. I have been fasting and praying, giving, loving my neighbor, obeying the Lord, reading Scripture daily, and walking faithfully with the Lord.
What did I do wrong? Why has God allowed me to go through such hard times? Does He not care about me? Am I saved?” To be honest we have all felt a little something like this.
Here is what I have learned on my walk of faith. Be on guard because when you’re asking all these questions and questioning God, Satan will try to attack. He will say, “no he doesn’t love you. Look at those unbelievers who are not going through adversity, but you say Jesus Christ died for you, and yet you are going through the worst troubles of your life.” Don’t let the devil give you fear.
Trials can lead into atheism. When your faith is small the devil can rip it out. Don’t let him put you in despair and bitterness towards God. Don’t ever forget the other times God has delivered you because He will do it again. The devil will try to say it was a coincidence, but with God there is no coincidence. Cry out to God. Block Satan off and always remember that we have victory in Christ.
Quotes
“Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of.” – Charles Spurgeon
“Prayer is the best armor against all trials.”
“A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.”
“Being on a spiritual path does not prevent you from facing the darkness, but it teaches you how to use the darkness as a tool to grow.”
What does the Bible say about trials and tribulations?
Think of trials as training! God has to train His troops. Have you ever heard of any staff sergeant who got to where he was without going through tough situations? God has to prepare His children for the future.
My life and experiencing trials
I remember when I said, “why God, why this, and why that?” God told me to wait for His timing. God has delivered me in the past, but when you are going through bad times all you’re thinking about is right now. I’ve seen God use trials to build me up, answer different prayers, open doors, help others, and I’ve seen many miracles where I knew it was only God who could have done this.
While I was worrying, the Lord gave me comfort, encouragement, motivation, and He was working behind the scenes. If as believers we’re burdened by when our brothers and sisters suffer, imagine how God feels. Always remember that He loves you and He reminds us time after time in His Word that He will never forsake us.
Trials help our perseverance
James 1:12 “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Hebrews 10:35-36 “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”
Sometimes we don’t know why God allows them
Sometimes we have to admit we just don’t know and instead of going crazy and trying to find out why, we must trust in the Lord that He knows best.
Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Proverbs 3:5 -6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Sometimes we suffer because of our own mistakes
Sometimes we suffer because of our own foolish decisions. Also, remember, we should never test God.
In my life I’ve suffered because I followed the wrong voice. I did my will instead of God’s will. I can’t blame God for my mistakes, but what I can say is God brought me through it and made me stronger and smarter in the process.
Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.”
Proverbs 19:2-3 “Desire without knowledge is not good– how much more will hasty feet miss the way! A person’s own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the LORD.”
Galatians 6:5 “Assume your own responsibility.”
God allows suffering to make you more humble.
2 Corinthians 12:7 “even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.”
Proverbs 18:12 “Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.”
1 Peter 5:6-8 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
God allows them to discipline you
Hebrews 12:5-11 “And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Proverbs 3:11-13 “My child, do not reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t get angry when he corrects you. The Lord corrects those he loves, just as parents correct the child they delight in. Happy is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gets understanding.”
Your trials are causing you to become more dependent on the Lord
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
John 15:5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
God is allowing everything so you can grow in intimacy with Him.
God wants to spend time with you, but you lost your first love. You’re doing all these things for Jesus, but you’re not spending quality quiet time with the Lord.
Revelation 2:2-5 “I know what you do, how you work hard and never give up. I know you do not put up with the false teachings of evil people. You have tested those who say they are apostles but really are not, and you found they are liars. You have patience and have suffered troubles for my name and have not given up. But I have this against you: You have left the love you had in the beginning. So remember where you were before you fell. Change your hearts and do what you did at first. If you do not change, I will come to you and will take away your lampstand from its place.”
God could be protecting you from a bigger problem that you don’t see coming.
Psalm 121:5-8 “The Lord guards you. The Lord is the shade that protects you from the sun. The sun cannot hurt you during the day, and the moon cannot hurt you at night. The Lord will protect you from all dangers; he will guard your life. The Lord will guard you as you come and go, both now and forever.”
Psalm 9:7-10 “But the Lord rules forever. He sits on his throne to judge, and he will judge the world in fairness; he will decide what is fair for the nations. The Lord defends those who suffer; he defends them in times of trouble. Those who know the Lord trust him, because he will not leave those who come to him.”
Psalm 37:5 “Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.”
God allows trials so we can share in the sufferings of Christ.
1 Peter 4:12-16 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
2 Corinthians 1:5-7 “For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.”
Tribulations helps us to grow as believers and become more like Christ.
Romans 8:28-29 “We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. They are the people he called, because that was his plan. God knew them before he made the world, and he chose them to be like his Son so that Jesus would be the firstborn of many brothers and sisters.”
Philippians 1:6 “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
1 Corinthians 11:1 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”
They help to develop our character
Romans 5:3-6 “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.”
They help to build our faith in the Lord.
James 1:2-6 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
Psalm 73:25-28 “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”
Glorifying God in tribulation
God’s glory: The storm will not last forever and trials are an opportunity for a testimony. It gives God so much glory when everyone knows you’re going through a tough trial and you stand strong, trusting in the Lord until He delivers you, without complaining.
Psalm 40:4-5 “Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.”
Psalm 71:14-17 “As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long— though I know not how to relate them all. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.”
They help you when others need your testimony
You can help someone because you have been in that situation. Throwing around Scriptures will be hard to understand for someone who is grieving, but you can comfort them because you have been through the same thing and through the pain you trusted in God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction, through the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
Galatians 6:2 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
They give us a greater reward in heaven.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Mark 10:28-30 “Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.”
The purpose of trials is sometimes to reveal sin
Trials are to show us sin in our lives. We should never deceive ourselves and try to hide our sins from God, which is impossible.
Psalm 38:1-11 “Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down on me. Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin. My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning. My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart. All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes. My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away.”
Psalm 38:17-22 “For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me. I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin. Many have become my enemies without cause; those who hate me without reason are numerous. Those who repay my good with evil lodge accusations against me, though I seek only to do what is good. Lord, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God. Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior.”
Psalm 40:12-13 “For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. Be pleased to save me, LORD; come quickly, LORD, to help me.”
In the midst of trials, we are reminded that it is God who is always in control.
Luke 8:22-25 “One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”
They increase our knowledge and they help us learn God’s Word.
Psalm 119:71-77 “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word. I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight.”
Psalm 94:11-15 “The Lord knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile. Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law; you grant them relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked. For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance. Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.”
Psalm 119:64-68 “The earth, O Lord, is full of thy steadfast love; teach me thy statutes! Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in thy commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now I keep thy word. Thou art good and doest good; teach me thy statutes.”
They teach us to be more thankful
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Always be joyful. Always keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians 5:20 “Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.”
They take our minds off of things of the world and put them back on the Lord.
Colossians 3:1-4 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
Romans 12:1-2 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Stop saying, “I’m going to pray” and actually do it. Let this be a start to a new prayer life you never had. Stop thinking you can do things on your own and trust in God. Tell God “I can’t do it without you. I need you my Lord.” Come to Him with all your heart. “God help me; I will not let you go. I will not listen to these lies.” You must stand strong and have faith God can bring you through it even if it seems impossible.
1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
Love this site. I feel Indicted and for good reason. I’ve drifted so far from God. Oh help me and pray for me.
Don, I just read your comment and want you to know I have prayed for you! God knows our ways and has sent you here to recognize the need to get back on the right path. We all have at times in life lost our footing, but thank the good Lord and this website we are all back and searching for the right answers! Welcome back brother in Christ!
I enjoyed this very much! Thank you for sharing it.
I just want to say that I loved reading your article. It really relates to me. I got to know and understand what God has been working on in my life. I often get confused on what God is doing. This article was truly a relief and it sums up the importance of God.
You guys are amazing! These beautiful Scriptures really blessed my heart. Thanks so much!
Absolutely beautiful. I am a devout Christian, and I am facing a trial, and googled why God gives us such trials, and this article summed it up so nicely. Thank-you!
More grace on you guys…. This article has really helped me to understand many things about God and going through trials.
Just lost my job. at the verge of loosing it…not being able to sleep at all…but I believe God will make a way even in the darkness pain.
Marvelous words! May GOD continue to use you on a higher level.
I am a Christian mum sitting here in the middle of the night with an unsettled baby, and 2 more unwell children in another bedroom. I really was troubled and with teary eyes googled why i’m going through this, and now I a here! Your scriptures have blessed me and picked me up in no small way. May the Lord continue to use you and increase your wisdom. You have touched me and given me renewed hope
Now I know that all trials and storms have purpose in our life..thank you guys.
May God continue to increase you in wisdom and understanding, I have been blessed tremendously. Keep it up. God bless you.
God made everything to happen for a reason. It’s God’s purpose that I came across this teaching. This is God’s way of teaching me survival Skills. May they be my daily bread and Fill me and be able to apply them to my daily challenges. May I also learn to share with others who are afflicted or not afflicted for God’s Sake, AMEN.
Thank God! For you all for sharing a great topic on trials and tribulations. Thank God for his Rich Word that helps us.
God Bless you all.
I’m going through one of the worst tests of my life! Reading these scriptures and the passages have helped me stay on track and encouraged me to keep trusting. Thank you!
I have faced a lot of challenges since I gave my life to Christ and I have been asking myself is it because of sin? Many things in my heart but today I thank God, as I receive these message, I totally understand God’s plan in my life. Pls help me in prayer.
This is wonderful and I’m really blessed by this article and basically the scriptures.
This message is really for me and now I feel so blessed by His comfort. God is Great.
I am really thankful to God and ypu my brother in christ foe such an encouraging spiritual message. May GOD richly bless you.
I am glad this brought me back to light. God is forever faithful. Thanks for sharing this.
The Scriptures are very helpful. Many people think that because you go through Trials and Tribulations, your situation is going to stay the same. But it only makes you wiser and stronger. It’s not what you go through, it’s how you come out what you go through.
This is a life lifting site, i stumbled on this site with a heavy heart, after going through the topics here I became lighten. May God bless whoever that is sharing these words, your depth of wisdom and revelation in Christ will never go down.
I am gladdened in my soul for this awesome messages about the trials and to tribulations we face. It now teaches me to persevere in the times of temptation, so I can learn from my mistakes and finally come out in victory!
This devotional was exactly what I needed today. I have become discouraged because I am disabled and now my husband is also disabled. Satan has whispered, “ God doesn’t love you or care!” But this article, so well written with such a wealth of verses from God’s Word, has helped me refuse Satans lies and refresh my hope in my God. Thank you so much, and may God bless and continue to use you for His Glory!
Thank you Fritz for this article and for helping me to comprehend more about the trials I am facing as a christian. Sometimes I feel like giving up on God’s will and plans for me because of my situation. Please pray for me.
Thank you very much for your biblical revelations of your article.
I really enjoy it and fully understand it.
God bless you.
I am a 70 y/o man in Florida who just learned that his 35 y/o son has accepted a job transfer from Florida to Texas next month. I understand why he is doing that. I am trying to accept this as God’s plan, but there is separation pain. I read a series of other scriptures having to do with loved ones moving away. I am hopeful about being able to go there to visit him and I will certainly try, God willing. Trusting God to help me through the emotions and other impacts this will have, and for my son to have strength to go forward.
Thank you so much for eveyone that is running this website. So much of valuable knowledge and encouragement with quoted scripture. It covers a vast area of each topic that is listed. Great work. God bless you all!
Perfect timing! During this period of Covid and physical problems many attacks of discouragement. I searched for answers and Praise the good Lord for you and all of the information given has lifted my spirits! Absolutely God inspired! Please keep us all in prayers and thank you for being a tool through which God is working! ❤️🙏🏻❤️
Really blessed and strengthen with the sermon. May The Almighty God give favor to continue with your exposition of the scriptures. God bless you.
Thank you for the scriptures. Our son died August 30, 2021 from covid. Age 46. Looking back on my life, I have had so much heartache but I always relied on the lord to carry me through and he did. After losing my son I blamed God. I prayed constantly for God to protect our children and I felt like he failed me. I was scared to pray for protection for our other children, afraid he will take them too. But tonight reading these scriptures I feel like God has a plan for me. Perseverance.
Dear sister , Thank you for sticking to the faith, please don’t be scared by blaming god, many of us are suffering from trial, different trials. We all had wrestles with God. When we can’t bear anymore , we blamed God
God is taking care of your son for eternal peace , and he won’t blame us for innocent sad feelings ❤️ He is forever loved, he can bear all our burdens , let’s spend time with him and waiting healings
I love this site. Very encouraging, it’s my first time on here but I am really blessed. I will share this with many others who are going through it, because right now I’m in a fight with my life, but I will hold on to God’s unchanging hand. One thing I know is, if He bought me through it before, He’ll bring me through it now, so I’ll hold onto His every promise, Amen.
I really needed what I read on your site TODAY. Thank you ♥️