The Purpose of Trials in a Christian's Life
Welcome to God's School!
You were auto enrolled in this educational journey when you gave your life to Christ. At that moment, when you believed in your heart and confessed with your mouth that Jesus is the son of God, you were signed up for a lesson by default.
The curriculum for this School is based on one book – The bible. It emphasizes the principles to live by to work out your salvation daily and live up to the calling of the new life you have in Christ. In God's School, like any traditional school, you learn in three ways – structured classes, self-study and hands-on practical.
- Structured classes require you to attend bible study and church services and interact with other Christians through your local church or communities.
- Self-study requires you to set up times for daily devotion to God when you read the bible for yourself and meditate on it.
- Hands-on practical requires performing what you have read and have been taught through how you live your everyday life.
But like every good School, teaching is not enough. You have to be tested on what you have learned in other to advance to the next stage and ultimately graduate from the school.
So, if you ever wondered, what's the point of all these sufferings, pains and troubles you are going through? Now you have your answer; it is just a test.
Life trials are a part of the test we go through in God's School of life.
"See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction." Isaiah 48:10 (NIV)
The purpose of life's trials, like any school test, is to refine us and show us our weaknesses so we can be better for them in the end. Isaiah 48:10 says the that our trials are like a furnace. We are like silver when we pass through life's furnace; it heats up and refines us, removing the dirt.
Our trials are there to make us better.
Since we now know that our trials are a test to make us grow and become better Christians, how should we handle the difficulty that comes our way?
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4
Three things to do when going through a trial:
(1) Count it all, Joy! - Yep, you heard me. Please take it in stride and stay joyful. Find ways to remind yourself of God's goodness while you go through the test and keep singing. Remember that the joy of the Lord is your strength. If you can keep your happiness, you'd find the strength to endure. Pick a song of praise or victory and keep singing through the storm.
"Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out." 1 Corinthians 10:13 (GNT)
(2) Seek godly counsel- This is a test, and if it's any consolation, it is a standard test. Everyone has faced the same thing or similar to what you are facing today. I know you feel alone and overwhelmed. Be encouraged; you are not. Someone else faced the same test, and if they came out fine, you will too. Our test is standard to all humans so learn from the mistakes and successes of others. Reach out to your community of family, friends, mentors, Christians – anyone you trust with sound judgement. Ask for help, listen to advice and whatever you do, don't suffer in silence. You are not alone.
(3) Don't lose your faith - You know that whatever comes your way, God knows, and he is in the fire with you. He promises always to provide a method of escape. So don't lose your faith in God. Instead, turn to him and ask him to show you how to escape. God is faithful, he keeps his promise, and he will.
God is a just God. He doesn't ask tricky questions to get you to fail your life test. So, whatever you go through today, remember it is a standard human life experience test. You are not alone, so don't lose your joy, seek godly counsel and don't lose your faith.
Many have successfully gone ahead and passed the test, and so can you.
Stay in faith; You've got this!
Thanks David
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