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1Peter 1:7 says, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” Peter goes on to say in 4:12, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.” It is clear from these verses, and many others, that our faith as Christians will be tried, and these trials should not shock us when they come. Jesus said in this world we shall have trials.
A strong faith is a tried faith. Spurgeon said, “Faith untried may be a true faith, but it is sure to be little faith, and is likely to remain dwarfish so long as it is without trials.” Faith is like a muscle. It must be exercised through resistance to get bigger and stronger. Otherwise, it remains weak and flabby. George Mueller said, “To learn strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testings.” The Apostle Paul exhorted the disciples to “continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22)
All Christians will go through trials, especially if your doing anything for God. Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy (Jn 10:10). Many trials are meant to destroy you, but if we have the right attitude, God will work all things together for our good (Rom 8:28). Will trials make us better? If we let patience have her perfect work, then yes (Jam 1:3-4). However, if we flee, or become angry and bitter, then that trial will hinder or harm us, and we will remain small in the faith. Like Wiersbe said, we can let the trials of life make us a giant or a midget.
“Trials always change our relationship with God. Either they drive us to Him, or they drive us away from Him. The extent of our fear of Him and our awareness of His love for us determine in which direction we will move.” - Jerry Bridges. We must allow trials to increase our faith and dependence on God. Draw close to Him. He is for you, not against you. He will bring you through it. We are more than conquers through Christ. If we faint when there is adversity, then are strength is small (Prv 24:10). It’s in the trials, that we see what we’re made of. Like tea bags, what’s in us will come out when put in a little hot water.
Sometimes trials make weak Christians offended and bitter (Matt 13:20-21). Instead of allowing the sword of the Spirit to do it’s surgery in their hearts, they get offended and flee. The problem is, you can’t run from yourself. Often times people leave marriages, churches, and other relationships; because God’s Word is trying them (Ps 105:19), and they don‘t want to deal with their stuff. Trials aren’t comfortable, but if we’re going to grow in the faith, we have to face them. Otherwise, we will remain in a baby state as Christians, and never be able to be used by God. God wants to grow us up in the faith, and cares more about our character than our comfort.
How should we react to trials? The mature Christian learns to rejoice in them, because they understand patience is being worked in them (Rom 5:3-5, 12:12; 2Thess 1:4; Jam 1:2-4). This doesn’t mean we go looking for trouble, but it does mean we come to understand that through patient endurance and trust in Jesus, we will come out on the other side wiser and better and more Christ-like. Just like with gold, when we get melted down, the impurities of our heart surface, and can now be scraped away - and we will come out more beautiful and pure.
Samuel Rutherford said, “Keep God’s covenant in your trials; hold you by His blessed word, and sin not; flee anger, wrath, grudging, envying, fretting; forgive a hundred pence to your fellow-servant, because your Lord hath forgiven you ten thousand talents: for, I assure you by the Lord, your adversaries shall get no advantage against you, except you sin, and offend your Lord, in your sufferings.” A mans pride will bring him low, but honor will uphold the humble in spirit (Prv 29:23, 15:33).
May we allow the trials of life to make us better, not bitter. What Satan means for evil, God will work for your good if you trust Him and let Him. Patient doesn’t mean passive. Resist the devil, but be patient in it. Endure the trial, but fight the good fight of faith. The Kingdom of God suffers violence, and the violent take it by force - patient force. Humble yourself, persevere, and don’t quit. For when you have endured temptation, you shall receive a crown of life from our Lord, which He has promised to those that love Him (Jam 1:12). I assure you, it’s all worth it in the end. Let trials make you a giant in the faith. Selah.
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