Wisdom for the Trials of Life
One of life’s most commonly asked questions is, “Why does God allow His children to go through difficult, trying, painful times in life?” We recognize that God is all-powerful and could prevent these trials if He chose to do so. Yet, He often does not. Therefore, there must be some purpose for them, some divine reason for not sparing us these hardships. Once we begin to understand God’s purpose for these things, we will be able to stand strong through any storm of life.
1. Christians will face trials
James 1:1-12 issues a serious challenge to every believer. The first thing we should notice is James’s assurance in verse 2 that all Christians will in fact face trials of many kinds. The author leaves no room for doubt; he alludes to “when you encounter various trials,” which indicates the inevitability of such ordeals. Therefore, we should not ask how we can avoid trials–because we cannot–but rather we should ask God to show us how to deal with them when they appear.
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The second thing we should notice in verse 2 is the seemingly ridiculous instruction to “count it all joy” whenever hardships assault our lives. This is a preposterous statement; trials and joy simply do not go together. Tears, discouragement, disillusionment, despair . . . these are the things that we associate with trials. But joy? James must have known that this would be a contradiction to our natural human reasoning; so, there must be an answer beyond what we perceive.
In James 1:5, in the midst of a discussion on trials, the author seems to change the subject mid-stream. He has just explained how trials produce spiritual endurance and maturity, and then he says, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God . . . and it will be given to him.”
Rather than switching topics, James is actually making a consistent argument regarding trials. In order for us to be able to “count it all joy” in the face of trials, we must view the matter from God’s perspective. This is what wisdom does. Beyond simply understanding God’s reasoning, we also must actively apply that wisdom. When we do this, we become more able to evaluate people and circumstances and are thus better prepared to make sound decisions.
A primary function of wisdom is to help us discern the source of our trials. Discovering the source is very helpful in understanding God’s purpose in each hardship. Sometimes, our trials come from making wrong decisions ourselves. These occasions are tough realizations because these are times when we cannot blame the problem on anyone else.
2. Trials come in the form of persecution
A second source of trials is the persecution of others. As we strive to live in a godly manner, Satan will begin looking for new ways to attack us. One effective assault is through other people sent to hurt, mock, or distract us.
3. We live in a sinful world
Another uncontrollable source is the simple fact that we live in a fallen world. There are earthquakes, floods, disease, suffering, war, and hardship in the world today that cannot be prevented.
A troublesome issue for many people is that, regardless of their specific source, God allows each and every trial that we encounter. Beyond that, He sometimes sends the trials Himself. This is why James instructs believers to ask God for wisdom in the midst of their hardship. Wisdom enables us to clearly see the source of the trial, and when we know the source, we are better prepared to evaluate, handle, and grow through the specific issue.
Understanding God and trials
Once we understand the source, we need wisdom to enable us to discern the purpose for the trials. In this, wisdom helps us to question the heart of God by asking, “Lord, why have you allowed this? What would you have me learn through this?”
Some people are not comfortable with the idea of asking God “why?” I assure you, though, that you will not disturb God at all by asking Him any question you wish. The fact is we need to ask Him why certain trials happen, because we want to extract as much good from our suffering as possible.
- First, God allows our trials in order to test our faith.
This is made perfectly clear in James 1:3, “Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” The word “testing” here means to be tested and found proven; that is, God is testing our faith in order to prove its strength.Unproven, untried faith is practically worthless. How do you know what you can face in life if your faith has not been tested? 1 Peter 1:6-7 explains this valuable aspect, “In this you greatly rejoice . . . you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith . . . may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
The testing of our faith produces spiritual maturity, which leads to endurance. This enables us to withstand any assault, no matter what form the trials take. Being tested by God strengthens us so that we can face trial after trial and still endure.
- Second, God allows our trials in order to test our devotion to Jesus Christ. True devotion demands that we follow Jesus faithfully, regardless of our circumstances. Will you obey Him when you do not understand why bad things are happening? Will you obey Him when things are not going your way? These things are discovered during periods of trial and testing.
- Third, God allows trials in order to purify our lives. Trials have a way of putting pressure on us in the most secret parts of our being, bringing hidden sins, bad habits, and areas of neglect to the surface. These things must be dealt with in order to become the mature Christians God wants us to be.
- Fourth, our trials give God an opportunity to demonstrate His sustaining power for His children in tough times. This is an amazing testimony to unbelievers, who may witness you going through a horribly difficult situation while still maintaining the peace of the Holy Spirit.
- Fifth, a major purpose for our trials is to produce Christ-like character within us. Our trials reveal to us that we cannot live the Christian life apart from Him. This means that the Christian life is not made up of different “good things” that we do, but is actually Jesus Christ living in and through each one of us. This requires our total surrender to His will, so that our reactions to stress, trial, and suffering are actually His reactions lived out through our lives.
- Finally, trials equip us for service in the kingdom of God for the sake of others. Second Corinthians 1:4 makes this point clear, “[God] comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” Therefore, God is using our trials to make us more useful in helping others.
By fully understanding and identifying with someone else’s pain, we will be able to reach out to them in a way in which someone else may be unprepared for. The key to this type of service is simply knowing first hand what the other person is going through. If we have been through it ourselves, we will have an intimate understanding of what the hurting individual needs.
As we have seen, wisdom’s true value comes in its application. With that in mind, take a moment to review ten ways that a right understanding of God’s purposes for trials might lead us to the right response.
- We must be persuaded that God is in control of the timing and intensity of our trials.
- We must realize that God has a specific purpose for each trial in life.
- We must understand that each trial is designed to meet a specific need that God sees in our lives.
- We must accept that each trial is going to result in our own good if we respond in faith.
- We must discover how each trial can strengthen our faith by proving that we can depend on the Lord for all of our needs.
- We must rejoice in that each trial is an opportunity for God to demonstrate His power to sustain us under tremendous pressure.
- We must submit ourselves to the development of Christ-like character that results from our trials.
- We must take advantage of our trials’ usefulness in measuring our spiritual growth. For example, we may realize that we are capable of handling a powerful hardship that would have crippled us only a year or two ago. This is because our continuing trials have taught us that God will indeed empower us to prevail.
- We must be convinced that God will walk us through every step of the trial(Hebrews 13:5).
- We must have faith that by His grace and the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, we will not only survive, but we will also conquer over each trial.
If you are a child of God, you have the means by which to stand firm in the face of any trial. Trust that God has a reason for your sufferings, and submit yourself to whatever He desires to teach you. The road may be rocky, but a wise response will lead you into the joy He has promised.
Copyright © IN TOUCH MINISTRIES. IN TOUCH Magazine. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Hi Shon, I can appreciate the difficulty and disappointment of losing your licence. It must have such an impact on you and your family.
Can I remind you of some truths about God and how He deals with us? First of all God does forgive our mistakes but there are often still consequences that we deal with. David was forgiven for his sins but he still paid the consequence of family strife, loss of loved ones and a plague that ravished the land of Israel.
Second, God uses those mistakes and consequences in our lives to accomplish His purposes for us. “I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you a hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) God is going to accomplish something in your life that could not be completed without this disappointment. I would embrace it and look for God’s hand working things in your life through it all.
Finally, God does not expect us to go through these difficult things alone. Jesus promised, “Come to me all of you who are weary and weighed down; I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) He also promised, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…” (Acts 1:8) That power is what carries us through impossible circumstances with joy in our heart and trust in our Lord. You will be able to face these 13 more months because Jesus is with you and His Spirit is empowering you to accomplish all of God’s plans for you. Remember, “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10) God has prepared things for you to do in these next 13 months. Focus on following His plan and you will be amazed at what He is able to accomplish through you and these difficult things.
Lord God, I pray for Shon and his kids as they respond to this disappointing news. I pray that You would build in them a strong trust in Your plans and purposes. I pray that this would help them to develop a more dependent relationship with You so that they look to You each moment to see how You are directing them. Draw them closer together as a family as they need to be creative on getting around. I pray that You would miraculously assist Shon in his business so that He is able to provide for his kids according to Your purposes. In Jesus’ name, amen.
i had lost my drivers licence last year for drinking.i went to get my licence after 1 year revocation. took the picture and everything. Went up to take test an they told me another state had a hold on it. Called that state and they said i need to take classes that will take 13 months.Toally devistated. i have my own business and am a single dad to 3 small children. I love god so much and trust him but very crushed and so are my children. Any wisom you can give me?
Stacey you are so right, that God will never, no never, ever forsake us. Jesus has written our names on the palm of his Hand and is always with us. What a good reminder.
Hey thre I just want to say that no matter how hard the situation may be god will never ever put you into shame neither will he forsake you.Whenever we going through difficult times we must give god the praise and honour even though things are rough.. ANd whatever the challenge may be remember that god’s plans are to prosper you and not to harm you at all..and god is always listening to us whenever we call upon his name..what I’ve learnt about life is that no matter how hard it may be you must never try to resolve the problem by yourself yOu must always seek for god’s help and let him be your problem solver and put all your trust in him because he wants what’s best for you and your future.
Thank you for sharing for this beautiful message.
God is indeed a good and great God, no one will fathom His understand as my way is not His way.
Going through trials in life will make you love you even more and more…..
Love you God…
I am so sorry for the loss of your cousin, Donnie, but it is wonderful that God is using you to comfort her. I understand why you find Dr. Stanley’s words so helpful in your faith journey; truly, he is anointed in his ministry, and a blessing to us here at Power to Change. May his article here provide words of wisdom, comfort and mercy to help your aunt at this most painful time in her walk with Jesus. I ask this in His Holy Name. Amen.
i ended up on this page, looking for help to write to my aunt who lost her only daughter and she is suffering. she has two grown sons and her daughter was handicapped and my aunt took the best care of her throughout her life but she is struggling and it is hard for her to even talk about it. i look to charles stanley for answers from the bible and i always find them. his writings have helped me live on and keep looking up, no matter what. it’s not easy, there are lots of assignments i call them, to get through.
Yes I go throught trial to strengthen me into the person that God wants me to be in this world before He takes me to the New World.
I thank God for all the blessings and wisdom he has given to us specially in my lost days. I got lost when I fell in love with a married man and left me behind when I was 2 months pregnant. Who would have thought that I will be a single parent at my young age? This trial made us strong spiritually and emotionally. To think that I’m still young to make it right. But God is so good. That He has proven that those who are fatherless children are nothing to worry because they have father in heaven who is bigger and powerful. Thanks to God for giving me wisdom and a blessing of a son who’s really loving and handsome. I also thank my mom, dad, and my two brothers who prayed and helped me to make it through. Without God and my family I know I will not be a better person like now.
Dear Shumica,
My list of trails does not match yours, yet each one of us goes through a unique set of experiences. I’m distressed now because I lost (or misplaced) an expensive tool. A few years ago I lost a very good flash-light, and as a result bought a different one that serves me well and is much better suited for what I need than the one I lost. Now I thank God for the loss, as it helped me to upgrade.
My “suffering” some 23 years ago was a result of my own doing: I’d lost touch with God, did what I thought was best. I had drifted for 30 years, had a vague feeling that all was not well, but did not realize how far I’d fallen. With considerable difficulty I did hold onto a job, but was not getting ahead. I had lost rapport with my family (wife and 3 children), felt lonely and even bitter at times. I even looked at horoscopes, but found that evil spirits were starting to cater to me. I was horrified. I prayed that God show me how to straiten out my life. Then God gave me a dream in which I was on my way to hell, and I knew why. That shook me up! For the next 7 days, upon returning home from work, I knelt by my bed and wept bitterly for Jesus to wash me clean. Then I felt refreshed. I asked God what the next step would be, upon which a friend invited me to a Full Gospel Business Men’s meeting. There I received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. What a thrill. I have never been the same since! I’d let go of God, but in His mercy, He had not let go of me. In His love, He drew me closer to Himself than I’d ever been before. My wife and I were led to participate in a Bible study for couples, which helped us to again find one-another.
I feel with you, in that if all one has is God, than what else matters? I feel so blessed when God uses me to help someone! I am keeping a copy of the devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley . Come to think of it, I know him as a radio pastor.
Yes, we all need sufferings of some sort, but no one “wants” them. This topic of suffering leads me to think of the song “Everyone wants to go to heaven; but no-one wants to die!” Wishing you Love, Peace and JOY.
OK.This is my testimony!! Today I have realized there is no way to live a peaceful life without Christ and wisdom from God. Trials come at me and my faily all the time. One year ago I lost my mom, daughter, my husband loss his job and we suffered a house fire. At first I could not understand what was happening and why a wave of trials were thrown at us. I started searching the bible for answers and to understand God. Even when I did not have the answers I was looking for I just knew to trust Him and believe he will guide and keep me. with this attitude I was able to maintain my sound mind by the Grace of God. I continued to stay in his Word and gain knowledge of His ways.It is a daily struggle that we encounter and for me the only thing that gives me the power is to be in His rest.
Now, I understand why God allows trials to happened to us believers, its in your program that i now has realized why good and bad things are happening to me or my family, thru this, i want to thank you fully for being there always, its now in my system to open your website before i proceed with my work. please always pray for me and my family to help us refrain from saying things that could hurt anybody. by the way I am a catholic but i find your faith more acceptable,