Many believers are losing their heart, becoming cold in their love, getting disappointed or falling from faith when they face sufferings and tribulations. This is because they do not know God or His ways. Jesus said in John 16:32-33 “Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
In these verses, Jesus speaks about the sufferings He is going to have and encourages the disciples to have peace in Him. Jesus has overcome the world and thus become victorious in front all sufferings allowed by His father. Jesus tells all His disciples in all times that tribulation is a part of their life. Disciples will be able to overcome the world like Jesus overcame the world.
1. Trials are for making us perfect and complete
James 1: 2-5 consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Our loving heavenly father wants all His children to become perfect without lacking anything. If anyone lacks wisdom to face and understand the trials, he can boldly ask God, who is generous in giving wisdom to the one who asks. Testing of faith is very precious (1 Pet. 1:7) and will produce endurance. We have to let endurance to have its perfect result. Humanly speaking trials are not joyful but we have to consider it all joy by understanding God’s ways.
2. Trials are for getting approval and the crown of life
James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
If we trust in God He will preserve us in all trials. When a believer has been approved through trial, he will receive the crown of life. God allowed Peter to be tested by Satan but Jesus was praying for him so that he will keep his faith (Luke 22:31-32). Even though Peter failed miserably, he could come to a glorious life by the faith in Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Afflictions are for equipping us to comfort others in their afflictions
2 Cor.1:4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
When we are under afflictions, we always look for some help and comfort. God is “A very present help in trouble”( Ps. 46:1) and He comforts us in all our afflictions so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
4. God is faithful in controlling the temptation according to the ability He gave us
1 Cor 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
This is a great encouragement for us when we are facing temptations. God is faithful and He will not allow any temptation that is beyond our ability. Along with the temptation He will provide the way of escape, so that we can endure it.
5. God is having a confidence in us to challenge Satan to test us
God allowed Satan to test Job (Job 1:8-12) and Peter (Luke 22: 31-32) because God is confident of them.
6. Jesus become perfect as the author of our salvation through sufferings
Heb. 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.
Jesus became perfected as the author of our salvation through sufferings and Holy Spirit is encouraging us to run our race by looking to Jesus. Heb. 12: 1-3 “1Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
7. Look to God and His promises, NOT to the mountain or waves
Peter was walking on the water after receiving the commandment from Jesus; until his eyes was fixed on Jesus. The moment Peter looked at the mighty wind, he was frightened and started sinking (Mathew 14:29-31). Our encouragement is that when Peter cried for help “Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him”
Zechariah 4:6 -7 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts. What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!
God wants His children to fulfil His purpose through them. God is for us against every work of Satan. So we shouldn’t be frightened by seeing the works of Satan but have faith in God and His words.
8. Suffering for Christ is a great privilege
1 Peter 4 :12-14 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
Rom 8: 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
2 Cor 4:17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison
1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,
Phil. 1:29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
1 Thes. 3:3 so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this.
9. Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God
Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
10. Resist the devil and be firm in faith
1 Pet. 5:9-10 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
May God bless all of us to have right attitude towards tribulations
