God reveals in His Word that we are to give thanks in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18). When we have trials and hard times in life, we are still to give thanks to God. If we believe that God is sovereign and that He controls all events in the universe, then we can give thanks when pain and suffering come. The Psalmist experienced many hard times in His life and said, “I know O Lord, that your judgments are righteous and that in faithfulness, you have afflicted me.” (Psalm 119:75). God never makes a mistake in judgment. He is faithful to bring trials and afflictions into our lives to help us become stronger Christians.
We all want to live a life of success, peace, and good health. God gives us those things but He also removes them at times to stimulate our spiritual growth. We experience failures, tension in personal relationships, and various medical problems in life. The afflictions must be seen as God’s work in our lives to sanctify us. God revealed in Romans 8:29 that He desires for us to be conformed to the image of His Son. The trials, disappointments, pain, and afflictions are the instruments God uses to humble us, make us more dependent on God, and to drive us back to the Scriptures to learn more of God’s greatness. King David said about afflictions, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn your statutes.” (Psalm 119:71).
God shows His love for us by patiently testing us through trials. He wants us to have joy in the trails (James 1:2-4) because He is perfecting us though the trials. We are unique because God only perfects the ones He loves but not unbelievers. God is sending our way only the trials that are necessary for our spiritual growth. God never gives us a medical, personal, financial, or spiritual problem that is too much for us to handle (1 Corinthians 10:13).
How should Christians respond to trials, afflictions, and hard times? We should thank God, rejoice that He loves us, and grow in grace and the knowledge of Christ during the trial. Today you might have started an unexpected trial or you might be dealing with another day of a long trial. God loves you and is working all things together for good for you (Romans 8:28). Trust Him, thank Him, pray to Him, study of Him, and give Him glory by persevering in the faith. God loves you so much that He sent His Son to die for you. “He that spared not His own Son but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).
Love in Christ,
Pastor Dennis
