Being Put to the Test
What should a Christian do in the face of disappointment, calamity, or despair? According to Scripture, "we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). However, when we face challenges, we frequently ask, "Why? Searching for answers and learning to see "bad things" as pathways to "good things" are spiritual disciplines that God wants His children to practice as they age. (See, for example, I Corinthians 2:14 and Romans 8:16–17.)
You are "born again" into God's kingdom when you react to God's grace and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit enters your spirit at the time of redemption. He affirms your relationship with God, soothes you, and guides you to the fullness of truth. (See, for example, Romans 8:16, John 14:16–17, and 16:13.)
God begins the miraculous job of converting you, His child, into the image of His perfect Son, Jesus Christ. (See also Romans 8:29.) God uses the hardships and trials you endure to shape your character and ministry as you grow in your faith. By reacting to adversities with God's mercy, you will experience the power of the Holy Spirit, which will be visible in your life as the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance [self-control]. (Galatians 5:22–23.)
"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing had happened unto you; but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy" (I Peter 4:12-13).
The Obstacles and Difficulties We Face
The following are brief explanations of eight sorts of difficult situations that every Christian will almost certainly experience at some point:
Intense interactions or battles; outbursts of rage, sadness, or passion
Physical restrictions or diseases are examples of infirmities.
Provocation: mockery and rejection based on faith
Religious persecution includes harassment and tyranny.
Wearing and caring for everyday obligations are necessities.
Distresses include disappointments and serious emotional wounds.
Tribulations are unexpected stressors and hardships.
Temptations are opportunities for us to give in to our wicked nature.
It is entirely dependent on your response.
The Apostle Paul saw these "tests" as chances for spiritual growth. Instead of despairing in the face of adversity, Paul said that he would rejoice in his weaknesses so that the strength of Christ would rest upon him. (According to II Corinthians 12:9.) Christ's character will be created in us when we, like Paul, choose to trust God and accept the grace He provides. "We glory also in tribulations, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope doth not make us ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us" (Romans 5:3-5). You will become bitter until you accept God's mercy to deal with pain. If, on the other hand, you choose to trust God to bring about His purposes through your suffering, you can avoid the trap of bitterness and grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. (See, for example, II Corinthians 5:7, Ephesians 4:31, Hebrews 12:14–15, and II Peter 3:18).
You may be certain that God will not allow anything to happen to you without His approval, and He will not allow any "bad thing" to happen to you that will not ultimately bring you more good than harm. (See I Peter 4:12-13, Romans 9:14–24, Isaiah 55:8–9, Job 1:6–12, Genesis 50:20, and Psalm 121 for more information.)
How can we seize these opportunities to grow spiritually? The five reactions listed below are essential for overcoming testing and challenges via God's grace:
1. Express gratitude.
Being appreciative in a tough situation might be the most difficult and unnatural thing you can do. Nonetheless, the Bible is unequivocal about this response: "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (I Thessalonians 5:18). Being appreciative rather than complaining involves a conscious effort of will and the sacrifice of natural wants. Psalm 107:22 expresses this option in terms of a sacrifice: "Let them sacrifice thanksgiving sacrifices, and declare his works with joy."
Unfortunately, whether we experience adversity of any kind—emotional, spiritual, mental, or physical—the majority of us mutter or whine. "Do all things without murmurings and disputings, that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:14–15).
Thanking God in all circumstances does not imply that we are grateful for evil. Rather, we ought to give thanks to God in the midst of it all.
2. Celebrate!
We are also commanded to rejoice in all things, in addition to expressing thanks: "Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, rejoice" (Philippians 4:4). Thanking God is a purposeful act, whereas rejoicing is a spiritual reaction. As a result, it is conceivable to be both sad and happy at the same moment. We can't get away from the anguish of a terrible circumstance, but we may learn to delight in God and the good things He will do in our lives as a result of our suffering.
We should endeavour to identify the good outcomes that may result from the ircumstances. "Why did God allow this to happen?" you might ask. Tests and hardships allow us to get to know God better. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. We are the children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified together," the Apostle Paul explained. For I believe that the sufferings of this present time are nothing in comparison to the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:14–18).
When you face adversity, choose to place your confidence in God. This option will allow you to be more objective and, as a result, more sensitive to the reasons why God may have permitted the trial to occur. Remember the following truths while you face difficulties:
Gaining personal knowledge of Christ is more valuable than acquiring more goods. (See Philippians 3:8 for further information.)
It is more vital to develop a stronger character than to have your own way. (See also Hebrews 5:8.)
Having self-control is more noble than overpowering your opponents. (See Proverbs 25:28 for more information.)
Eternal treasures outweigh material riches in worth. (According to Matthew 19:21.)
3. Believe and act on God's Word.
When Jesus was challenged in the desert, he reacted by repeating Scripture for each temptation. When Satan pressed Christ to convert stones into food, he referenced Deuteronomy 8:3: "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). By expressing truth in the face of challenges, hardships, and temptations, we can follow Jesus' example and successfully participate in spiritual warfare.
The Word of God is described in Ephesians 6:17 as "the sword of the Spirit"—the sole offensive weapon in our spiritual armour. "The words that I speak unto you are spirit and life," Jesus declared (John 6:63). They are also the authority through which we may claim God's promises, for the Bible says, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7).
You may learn to successfully combat the adversary of your soul, Satan, with the sword of the Spirit as you reflect on the truth of God's Word, which is fast (alive) and powerful (see Hebrews 4:12). When challenges arrive, Satan tempts individuals not only to sin but also to discouragement and despair.
4. Pray to God.
Perhaps the most important reason God allows us to go through challenges in life is to make us realise how much we need Him. What is God's purpose in giving us seemingly unattainable commands? He intends to act effectively in our lives (Psalm 18:28–29); therefore, we must learn to rely on Him. He must be our exclusive source of strength, provision, protection, guidance, comfort, and calm.
God has the power to deliver us from any adversity. However, He frequently chooses to deliver, strengthen, or preserve us in the face of adversity. Psalm 50:15 says, "Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. God's intention with our challenges is to enhance our reliance on Him. We must put our confidence in Him to work in the manner and at the times that will bring the greatest benefit to our lives and the most honour to His name. He will deliver us if we cry out to Him in our sorrow.
God has the power to deliver us from any adversity. However, He frequently chooses to deliver, strengthen, or preserve us in the face of adversity.
5. Use good to defeat evil.
Jesus provided his disciples with specific instructions for dealing with individuals who would make their lives difficult. (See also Matthew 5:44.) Instead of following their natural instincts, Jesus' instructions are diametrically opposed:
Respect your adversaries.
You should bless those who curse you.
Do something nice for people who despise you.
Pray for those who take advantage of you and persecute you.
Such reactions would never be a person's natural nature, but they represent God's heart: "Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21).
God promises to benefit those who replace evil with good. We cannot fully foretell or explain the promised benefit, but we do know that it will involve the power of real love. "Be of one mind; have compassion on one another; love as brothers... Not returning ill for evil, or railing for railing, but blessing; knowing that ye are called, that ye might inherit a blessing" (I Peter 3:8–9).
When you respond angrily to someone who offends you, you literally place yourself in an emotional prison. Bitterness will take control of your ideas, emotions, leisure time, and health. You must forgive in order to be released from this jail.
Many examples of people who forgive violators are found in the Bible, including Job, Stephen, and Jesus Christ.
Job's companions were set to face God's wrath, but Job pleaded for them, and God delivered Job: "And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends..." (Job 42:10).
Even as they stoned him, Stephen begged God to pardon his murderers: "And they stoned Stephen, [who was] calling on God and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down and wept aloud, "Lord, do not lay this sin to their charge. And he fell asleep after saying this. (Acts 7:59-60).
We are among those He freed when He said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do," because Jesus was wounded for our sins and bruised for our iniquities (see Isaiah 53:5). (Luke 23:34).
The Advantages of Responding with Grace
We can withstand trials and defeat the adversary in God's strength because God faithfully pours forth His favour on us in the middle of each searing affliction. (See II Chronicles 20:15 for further information.) Scripture teaches that there are several benefits to reacting to adversities with grace, including the following:
The power of godly character
"We glory also in tribulations, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope doth not make us ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Rom. 5:3-5).
Excessive delight in God's splendour
"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's suffering; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12-13.
God's strength in our weaknesses "... I will gladly glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." Therefore, for Christ's sake, I take joy in infirmities, reproaches, needs, persecutions, and distresses: for when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9–10.
Relationship with Christ
"I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death" (Philippians 3:8–10).
Heavenly recompenses
"Blessed are you when men revile you, persecute you, and falsely say all manner of evil against you for my sake. Rejoice and be very joyful, for great is your recompense in heaven, because the prophets before you were persecuted in the same way. Matthew 5:11–12.
"It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him; if we suffer, we shall also reign with him" (II Timothy 2:11–12).
God has guaranteed us that He will not subject us to tests, challenges, or temptations that are too difficult for us. He will give us the grace to triumph. The Apostle Paul warns us in I Corinthians 10:12–13, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." There has been no temptation that is not common to man; but God is trustworthy, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability, but will with the temptation also offer a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it."