Snippets From God’s Word Series: “When Trials Come”

Ever wonder why God gives trails? When you are faced with a trial, do you try to work your way out of it instead of allowing God to work through you? I know, because I have been there.

Here is what James, God’s servant, tells us about handling trials when he wrote his epistle:

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2-3).

He describes trials as a good thing by saying “count them as joy”. I do not know about you, but I have yet to accept a trial as a joy! Maybe it is because I am not mature enough in Christ to do that. Instead, I grunt, I complain, I fuss. . . . and the list could go on.

Later on James says that we are blessed if we endure trials,  ^“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (verse 12).

In essence, he is saying that God rewards those who endures trials.

The other day, I came across an encouraging thought about trials from one of our friend’s status on Facebook. He said something about God in His love is not concerned with relieving us from trials; instead, he wants us to run to him. That was quite an encouraging thought to me. God loves us so much that He wants us to fall into His arms and find comfort in Him.

So no matter what trial you are facing, run to God. He is our only source of comfort and hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end”.

Christian singer/song writer Ron Hamilton, who is no stranger to trials writes in a song:

God never moves without purpose or plan
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the LORD though your testing seems long;
In darkness He giveth a song.

I could not see through the shadows ahead;
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day;
Then peace came and tears fled away.

Now I can see testing comes from above;
God strengthens His children and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging more fruit I will bear.

Refrain:

O Rejoice in the LORD
He makes no mistake,
He knoweth the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried
And purified,
I shall come forth as gold.

[icon icon=icon-book size=14px color=#FFA500 ]This is the first post from my “Snippets from God’s Word” Series.  You can find other series I have written in the sub-headings under my Faith and Biblical Lessons page above.