Trusting in The Midst of Trials

Ever since my second trimester of pregnancy, I've been dealing with health scares, chronic pain, and the stress that comes with preparing for another little family member. Sometimes it feels way too big to bear.

Why does God allow us to go through hard things? Are we being punished? Did we do this to ourselves? Is God mad at us? Or is there more to it than that?

We can't know God's ways or why he allows us to go through hard things, but there are several passages in the Bible that provide insight to the topic.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4

Joy? Really? I don't exactly feel joyful when I'm struggling to lift myself out of bed in the morning. But on the other hand, I have grown so much closer to God through this season. I have grown increasingly dependent on others, especially my husband. And it's a beautiful reminder of my complete dependence on God. It's easy for us to feel like we have things under control when things are going smoothly. It takes trials and difficulty to remind us that we're so incredibly finite.

Spurgeon said, "I have looked back to times of trial with a kind of longing, not to have them return, but to feel the strength of God as I have felt it then, to feel the power of faith, as I have felt it then, to hang upon God’s powerful arm as I hung upon it then, and to see God at work as I saw him then." That is what it means to be mature and complete. It doesn't mean that we are perfect in ourselves because of our own strength and grit, but that we recognize our own weakness and lean entirely on our perfect savior.

James isn't the only place we see this message come up. We see it in Romans,

Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

Romans 5:3-5

and in 1 Peter:

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:6-7

That last passage is a reminder of what we're working towards. We may not experience healing in this life. We may suffer even to the point of death. But our salvation is not in this world! Our salvation through Christ comes in eternity.

 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

1 Corinthians 4:17

It may seem like a long life on earth, but in light of eternity, the trials we face here really are light and momentary! Cling to Christ today and the promise of eternity. Persevere through whatever suffering you may be going through. Remember the words of Scripture that remind us of the blessings that come from enduring hardships:

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

James 1:12

Sometimes God chooses to heal us in this life. And it is good to pray for healing. But if he doesn't respond the way you are hoping, don't lose heart. I have personally seen God use these temporary trials of pain to draw me closer to himself and to humble me. I don't know why I'm still in pain, but I also trust that God is moving through me to develop my character and prepare me for whatever is next.

Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

Read through the rest of Hebrews 11. We see the faith of people throughout the Old Testament and we also see that many of them did not get to see the good work that God was doing through their obedience. Faith isn't blind, but it's taking into account all we know about God's character.

While the journey through pain and trials can feel overwhelming, it is through these very experiences that we often find our deepest growth and connection to God. The struggles we face serve a purpose beyond our immediate understanding, shaping our character and fortifying our faith.

As we reflect on the biblical passages that encourage us to embrace our trials with joy, we can find solace in the knowledge that our suffering is not in vain. It is a reminder of our dependence on God and the hope of eternal glory that awaits us. So, as we navigate the challenges of life, let us cling to the promises of Scripture, trusting that every moment of perseverance is a step closer to maturity in our faith and a deeper relationship with our Creator.