ByNone of us likes it when we face issues in life. Aside from the mental struggle we endure in those moments, they also put us in an uncomfortable state. Ideally, God didn’t create the earth to be plagued with problems but for the extension of His kingdom.
However, since the fall of Adam and Eve, there have been problems here and there to solve. It started with Cain murdering his little brother Abel after envying why God accepted this boy’s sacrifice and denied his brother’s. Then, it became worse when Cain left the presence of God (Genesis 4:15), and people became more and more sinful (Genesis 6:2).
Today, our world is full of needs and problems mainly because too many people don’t want to live by God’s kingdom principles but by worldly wisdom, which has always proven to be earthly (not divine), sensual and devilish (James 3:14 – 15 KJV).
God hasn’t shielded anybody, including His own children–the saved, from encountering issues in life. James 1:2 (NKJV) says,
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials…
From the verse above, I want you to notice two words: “when” and “fall.”
When the word “when” is used, it means what is being said will surely happen in time to come. Also, the Hebrew transliteration of the word “fall” is “peripiptō,” which means “surrounded with.”
From the interpretation of these two words in James 1:2, it’s clear that there are moments in life when believers in Christ Jesus will face life issues no matter who they are, and that doesn’t mean God sent them. So it’s not about praying against the happening of problems but knowing the purpose of trials, why God allow us to fall into them, and how we ought to respond to them. Today, I’m privileged to share three purposes of trials in our lives as Christians.
1. Trials test our faith
Just after Apostle James encouraged us in James 1:2 to count it all joy when we fall into various trials, he continues to say in verse 3 that “…knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”
That means trials come to test our faith. Why? – To check whether we’re standing firm in what we believe in God’s Word or if there’s weakness in our belief system.
When it proves a weakness, then the result is sin (James 1:14 – 15). But when we stand firm, the Word says that produces patience. In other words, if you remain unwavering in following Christ after encountering difficulties that battle with your faith, God will illuminate you spiritually.
Friend, instead of complaining about how terrible your situation is, look at how God is using it to strengthen your faith, hope and trust in Him.
2. Trials come to mature you
After you’re edified when you go through difficulties with the strength and wisdom of God, you’ll mature spiritually. That is, you’ll not only know God in the Bible but also in your own life experientially because He’ll be with you and help you go through the issues (Psalm 23:4, Isaiah 43:2).
James 1:4 (NKJV) says,
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
The word “perfect” there means “mature.” Hence, it’s significant to understand that your trials will test your faith, and anytime you go through them victoriously, you’ll come out better. However, don’t forget to learn from your mistakes.
3. Trials make you complete in knowledge
There are several areas in our lives where we don’t have adequate divine knowledge to walk in godly victory. For instance, if you consistently have financial struggles, there’s a likelihood that you don’t have enough spiritual understanding of how God’s monetary system works.
Therefore, if you’d be wise to learn from the Word about the purpose of money and how to handle it well as a steward of God’s possessions in your life, you’ll be complete in knowledge about kingdom finances, resulting in a better steward of God’possessions at hand.
Not every struggle we face in our lives persists because of inadequate resources. Some do because of incomplete knowledge. God has called you to triumph, not to be a failure. Discover the purpose of trials from God’s perspective today. You’re a blessing.
