Why do bad things happen to Christians? Couldn’t God step in and spare His children from all suffering? Is there a reason behind our suffering?
Yes, God could shield us from every trial, but He doesn’t. As we go about our lives we fall into the trials that are common to all people. But as the people of God, we need to realize that there is a wonderful, divine purpose behind those trials. What is that purpose?
In the opening sentences of James, we read: “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4 NASB95).
Notice what God is trying to do in us. He is trying to bring us to perfection and completion— that we would be spiritually mature and full-grown. How can we ever reach such a state? One might say it is through study, prayer, self-control and other spiritual disciplines. These are certainly key ingredients of spiritual growth, but there is another necessary ingredient. Trials.
Do you see the connection? Various trials test our faith. Testing of faith produces endurance (if we pass the test). Endurance then leads to spiritual maturity and fullness. But it starts with trials! The trials we go through are working something wonderful in us! This is why James can tell us to rejoice when we face them.
And if this is true, then we can look at adversity in a way that no one else in the world can. We face the same types of problems in life as everyone else, but as followers of Christ, we can see trials as a reason to rejoice rather than despair. We can see opportunity rather than hopelessness. Yes, we will struggle. Yes, we will feel sadness and disappointment at times. But in the end, we can trust that our loving Father is working something beautiful within us.
The trials of life will certainly come. May God help us to face them joyfully, knowing His divine purpose.
—Scott Colvin
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