Is it possible to Strengthen Faith in God Through Trials?
James 1:2-4 NIV “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James tells us, “Consider it pure joy,” Wait a minute, we are to have joy when we suffer? Yes, that’s what it says.
- First, it’s God’s supernatural joy.
- Second, we need to humble ourselves and ask for it.
- Three, we need to trust that He will do it.
When our faith is tested, it’s not in vain. There is a reason for it, to help us learn to persevere. Why? So we can grow in our faith.
Here are some questions for discussion.
- What does the Bible say about faith in trials?
- Do trials increase our faith?
- How do we keep faith in God during trials?
- What is God’s purpose in trials?
- What are the spiritual benefits of faith in trials?
What does the Bible say about faith in trials?
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
“The answer to Paul’s prayer did not take the form he had expected. The thorn remained, but so did his recollection of the divine reply. In the distress inflicted at various times by his ailment, God promised that Paul would never lack sufficient grace to overcome it (cf. Ro 8:35-37). This grace of Christ (13:11) was adequate for him precisely because divine power finds its full scope and strength only in human weakness—the greater the Christian’s acknowledged weakness, the more evident Christ’s enabling strength (cf. Eph 3:16; Php 4:13). The cross of Christ forms the supreme example of “power-in-weakness” (see 13:4).” Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament
Paul had some kind of problem that He was asking God to remove. Possibly a sight problem but we really don’t know. What we do know is that God did not take it away. Paul did not get mad, instead because of His relationship with God, he chose to accept it as God’s will. Paul knew that in his weakness, he would get through it with God’s strength.
Do trials increase our faith?
2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 NIV “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.”
Paul is writing to the Thessalonians and commending them for the growth in their faith and love. Where did this growth come from? Their perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials they had been through. Trials do increase faith when you are trusting God to get you through it.
How do we keep faith in God during trials?
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
- Trust in the Lord with your whole heart.
- Don’t try to figure it out yourself.
- Submit to Him in every way.
- He will guide you through it.
What is God’s purpose in trials?
Romans 5:3-4 NIV “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
The Lord wants to build our character by strengthening our endurance from our suffering. Remember Christ told us that we would have trouble in the world, (John 16:33) but He encouraged us by saying He had overcome the world. In other words, we can trust Him to help us. In the building of our faith, we are blessed with hope from God.
What are the spiritual benefits of faith in trials?
God’s Comfort
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
God is there to comfort and encourage us as we go through our trials. We then are able from our experiences to show others how to have comfort from God in their lives. God’s comfort is a double blessing.
Romans 8:17-18 NIV “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
As Christians, we share in suffering with Christ and also in His glory. Paul says there isn’t any comparison between our suffering on earth and the glory we will be a part of with Christ.
Assurance of the Unseen
Hebrews 11:1 NIV “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
The faith that is built from trials will give us confidence of our hope in Christ Jesus. It assures us that what we cannot see now is real and waiting for us.
God’s Peace
Hebrews 12:11 NIV “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
- Trials are painful.
- Later, produces a harvest of righteousness and peace.
- For those who have been trained by it.
Receive a Crown of Life
James 1:12 NIV “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
Isn’t this what we as Christians are waiting for? Life with God for eternity. This crown represents blessing and honor for the Christian.
Conclusion
Yes, it’s possible to Strengthen Faith Through Trials. As we have seen, the scripture reveals it is true.
We are going to have trouble in this world one way or another. Do we want to carry the load alone or have a perfect God carry it for us?
If you are going through a trial now, read through these scriptures and meditate on them. God’s Word is alive and can truly help you through it. Trust Him, He loves you.
If you have a question or comment, reply below. -Jackie
After I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I get 4 emails with the same comment. There has to be a way you are able to remove me from that service? Thanks.