Trials are not an indication that God has forsaken you but is using them to DEVELOP you!

Consider the Benefits of Trials to Develop in these verses…

1.- “And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, KNOWING that tribulation BRINGS ABOUT perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”-(Rom 5:3-5)

  • “Knowing” means “To be fully Aware” So God wants us to be fully aware of what He is producing, namely three virtues “Persistence, proven character, Hope!”
  • God does not want His children to be ignorant but informed and this is what Romans 5;3-5 does regarding “tribulations… sufferings…”

2.- “Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, 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.”-(James1:2-4)

  • “Knowing”– Has to do with an “understanding mind.” God does not want His people to be ignorant but informed. Not guessing but Guided by His Wordm “knowing,” that In each trial you encounter, you can be sure that God is desirous to use to produce endurance, and spiritual resilience in the face of obstacles and opposition that you face to continue on, and should you stop at any point? He will give you the grace to empower you to start afresh-{Read Phil 2:13 nlt}. God is using trials the very thing that is hard, difficult, unwanted that you dislike for your spiritual “good”-{Rm 8:28-29}…to produce Perseverance and spiritual maturity in you!

3.- “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, SO THAT the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, MAY BE FOUND to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; “-( 1 Peter 1:6-7)

  • “The Proof of your faith. “Proof” speaks of genuine, authentic indeed saving faith which is of more value than that of gold! Here is a thought for you. Who benefits in this trial in 1 Peter 1;6-7? The believer for it reveals to him or her that their faith is Genuine, authentic, saving faith! The word “distressed” in verse 7 speaks of “mental anguish, tearfully sorrowful, “- {v 8-}.
  • Peter writes, “and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.”-{1 Peter 1:8}

They Love Him, believe Him, and joy in Him amid severe trials and suffering. And this genuine saving faith will be rewarded when He returns! -{v7,9}

4.- “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, WILL Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”-(1 Peter 5:10). He is in control always. he controls the “thermostat” and he will bring about spiritual maturity, and stability namely- “perfect, confirm. strengthen, establish”

How Beautiful!”The God of all grace will Himself…” God Himself, not an angel or a myriad of angels But God Himself has taken it on Himself to personally see to your spiritual growth. While the evil one was attacking these dear saints, God Himself personally had undertaken to mature them! He holds the “thermostat” of the trials, the length of them and He regulates them, what the evil one uses for evil He will use for “good” in your life!

  • He uses four verbs to describe what He will bring about out of your suffering…Spiritual maturity…
  • He Himself Will..”PERFECT…CONFIRM…ESTABLISH…STRENGTHEN…”
  • God Himself will personally undertake for your spiritual maturity!

God is not out to destroy you but to develop you and display Himself to and through you:)

  • Reread the verses and NOTE what Each BENEFIT highlighted as part of what God can do with you in your and my trials!

Trials are not an indication that God has forsaken you but is using them to develop you and display Himself to and through you!-

Take heart in Him!

Trials do not have the final say, God does! And He is working all things including this very thing you are going through for “good!”

God Bless,

Aidan