Trials and tribulations are an unavoidable part of the human experience. As Christians, we know that God allows suffering for a purpose, even if we don’t always understand what that purpose is. Here are some key biblical reasons why God permits trials in the lives of His followers:
Trials Develop Godly Character
Going through difficult circumstances provides an opportunity for spiritual growth and character development. Romans 5:3-5 tells us, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Trials teach us perseverance, shape our faith and reliance on God, and mold us into the image of Christ (Romans 8:28-29).
Trials Strengthen Our Faith
Experiencing trials demonstrates the genuineness of our faith and refines it like gold. 1 Peter 1:6-7 says, “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Going through difficulties gives us an opportunity to cling to God and deepen our trust in Him.
Trials Keep Us Dependent on God
Human pride and self-sufficiency can subtly creep in if we are not challenged. Difficulties remind us of our weakness and absolute dependence on God. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 tells of the apostle Paul’s struggle with a “thorn in the flesh” which God allowed despite his pleadings. God told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Through trials, we learn to rely on God’s strength rather than our own.
Trials Teach Us Obedience
Painful experiences give us opportunities to demonstrate obedience to God. Hebrews 5:7-8 speaks of Jesus, saying, “In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.” Difficulties help us learn to obey God even when it is excruciatingly hard.
Trials Increase Our Eternal Reward
Temporary trials produce an eternal reward for those who remain faithful through them. James 1:12 declares, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” Suffering purifies our hearts and draws us closer to God, storing up greater treasure for us in heaven.
Trials Allow Us to Comfort Others
The trials we endure equip us to come alongside others who are suffering and comfort them through the comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” Shared suffering produces empathy, compassion and an ability to encourage the hurting.
Trials Cultivate Humility and Gratitude
Going through difficulties protects us from pride and entitlement, reminding us of our fragility and utter need for God. Trials also nurture gratitude for times of peace and sustaining grace. James 1:9 tells us, “Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation.” Learning to boast in our weaknesses makes us thankful for the smallest gifts and graces God provides in our time of need.
Trials Unite Us in Christian Community
Hardships shared with other believers unite us as the body of Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:6 says trials produce “patient enduring of the same sufferings that we also suffer.” Suffering together and bearing each other’s burdens forms a powerful emotional and spiritual bond between believers. We learn the value of Christian community and interdependence on one another.
Trials Mature Our Perspective on Life
With maturity comes the recognition that difficulties are temporary, while eternal glory awaits. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:17, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” Suffering provides perspective on what is truly important and relativizes the pain of current trials in light of coming glory.
Trials Allow Us to Identify with Christ’s Suffering
As partakers of Christ’s sufferings, trials enable us to identify with Jesus Himself. 1 Peter 4:12-13 says, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings.” Just as Christ was perfected through suffering, trials shape us into His image and help us better understand His sacrifice on our behalf.
Trials Equip Us for Ministry and Service
God sometimes uses trials to prepare and equip us to minister to others. 2 Corinthians 1:4 says He “comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” Our own hurts attune us to the hurts of others, qualifying us to come alongside and support those in need.
Trials Cultivate Longing for Eternity
The difficulties of this fallen world stir our hope and longing for heaven, where there will be no more tears or pain. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:2, “For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling.” Trials remind us this world is not our home and create anticipation for the glories of eternity with Christ. Suffering produces in us a God-given dissatisfaction with the status quo.
Trials Bear Spiritual Fruit
Painful circumstances, while unpleasant, produce positive spiritual fruit in our lives. Hebrews 12:11 tells us, “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Through trials, God prunes away sin in our lives so that His righteous character flows forth from us.
Trials Teach Us to Number Our Days
Psalm 90:12 urges us to “number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Difficult experiences remind us that life is fleeting and make us consider how we are living in light of eternity. Trials add a note of holy urgency to make the most of our days and highest priority of knowing and serving God.
Trials Test the Genuineness of Our Faith
Hardships reveal what we really believe about God and expose the authenticity of our faith. 1 Peter 1:6-7 says trials “have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” Difficulties clarify and strengthen our trust in God.
The reality is that trials and tribulations will inevitably occur in our fallen world. As Christians, we can rest in the knowledge that God uses every circumstance in the lives of His children to conform them into the image of Jesus Christ. Though trials are painful and confusing in the moment, God promises they will produce spiritual fruit in our lives when we submit to His work and rely on His sustaining grace. We can rejoice that He will one day “wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).