Trials are a test of the performance, qualities, or suitability of someone or something.
When new medications or medical devices are being developed they are put through rigorous trials. Putting aside any potential frustration with pharmaceutical companies or insurance companies, what is the point of the trials? To test its performance, qualities, and suitability of something. They want to know for sure that the medicine or device is going to do what they say it is capable of doing.
Professional athletes, especially Olympic athletes, will endure strength and endurance trials for the same reason. Are they going to be able to persevere? Is there physical and mental ability enough to push through when they are encountering the toughest competition?
Think of our amazing military men and women of this country. Boot camp is a trial! Their bodies are pushed beyond the limits they ever expected possible. They have to will their minds to keep going. Why? So that they are able to protect themselves, the soldier next to them, and complete the mission for OUR safety.
The same is true for police officers, firefighters, and all first-responders.
The entire book of Job was a trial. It was a test of his faith through suffering. There is an important distinction in the first two chapters of Job. God did not cause Job’s suffering. He allowed them, but Satan actually caused the pain. So then the question becomes why did God allow it? No one can fully answer that.
But we know, trials are an ability to test our performance and qualities as a Christian when life becomes hard. Beyond hard. And on the other side of trials, when we stand in faith, our relationship with God grows, strengthens, and deepens.
I don’t want to endure trials anymore than a marine wants to complete his physical training. But like the marine, I want to know that I am strong and capable to endure ‘come what may’. I want the benefit of the deepened relationship with God!
Let’s also look back all of the examples of trials above. Trials does not equate to discipline!
Jesus, himself, spoke out against the idea that suffering implied sin and thus discipline. In John 9:1-7, Jesus and his disciples come upon a blind man and they asked Jesus who had sinned, the man or his parents. He replied in verse 3 (NIV) “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.”
Take the time to read the below bible scriptures and truly focus on what they are saying to you. Some passages may touch you differently than others. Writing down the verses in your own hand is helpful for some individuals. Possibly looking up the verses in your own bible may be beneficial. I use a NIV bible translation. Or reading them over and over to commit to memory. Whatever method works best for you to experience God’s words and feel closer to Him.
James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
1 Peter 1:6-7
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These 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.
Romans 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
James 1:12
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Psalm 119:67-68
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.
I pray that these verses meet you where you are today and help you to understand that your trials are not the same as discipline.
God bless!
Melissa
I love that you differentiate between trials as discipline and trials as tests.
It is definitely an important distinction to make! It helps us to know how to better ourselves as well as how to grow in faith. Thank you for reading and commenting! God bless!
This is too uncanny! I just wrote a rough draft post on Job yesterday! When I publish it, I will try to remember to link to this post because it really applies to it:). I love, by the way, how you provided examples of trials in various areas of our lives (athletics, medicine, military). We are really able to grasp the importance of trials and how, especially in a Christian sense, they help us to grow in Christ!
We must just be destined to be blogging friends! 🙂 Thank you for the kind words and I look forward to reading your post when it publishes! God bless!
What an important reminder! God is not random or careless in what He allows in our life. Everything is for our good and His glory!
So true. He can use all things even in struggles and hard times. Thank you for reading and commenting! God bless!
Hi Melissa
I took the time to read “Living in the Word – Prayer Devotional for Trials”.
It was encouraging; educational and Biblical.
Thank you!
I like your title ‘Living in the Word’ – it got me thinking about how good I am at doing just that?
Perhaps this particular blog post was just what I needed to read this Sunday afternoon?
After reading your blog post, I thought for a while about what you said about the purpose of testing medicine, devices etc.
The story of Job has always fascinated me; I’m sure I would have given up – but he didn’t.
Your point on who caused the suffering in the story of Job is crucial; although not so much mentioned.
We have a fantastic God. He knows what’s best for us and he’ll not give us a bigger burden than we can lift.
Those are some great Bible verses you’ve included, especially Romans 5:3 because it’s a reminder of what comes from suffering when we’re on the other side of it.
Thank you for sharing your views with us; looking forward to reading your next blog post.
I’ll share on Social Media channels Tuesday, November 7.
Cordially
Edna Davidsen
Thank you Edna! I think I wrote this post for myself just as much as everyone else. Trials, by nature of what they are, are hard! It can be easy to give up if it is only focused on as hard BUT if we can keep in mind the benefit of them, it can help us lean into God more and strive to persevere! Thank you for reading and your thoughtful comments. God bless!
Had never looked at it that way as your opening statements. Trials are done to perfect medicines. We do have daily trials to perfect us as Jesus imagined and intended for our lives. So enjoyed reading your sharing today about trails and discipline. I enjoyed the book of Job and rooted for him not to fail God’s expectations of him, and was glad he stood the tests and his discipline was in place. There is lots of teaching in the book of Job. His neighbors thought that he had sinned or some sin brought on his trials and misfortunes, but is a reminder that we never know what is actually going on in another’s life. Thank you for sharing such great insights for this Sunday.
Peabea@Peabea Scribbles ~ Sunday Scripture Blessings
Job is a hard book to read at times because we have empathy for him! I can’t fathom enduring the trials he did and still remain faithful. None of us can answer why some people seem to have trials pile up against them but we can remain firm in our knowledge that God is good and wants us to ask for His help! Thank you for reading and commenting! God bless!
Such wise words today, Melissa. We must not think of all our trials as punishment from an unforgiving Lord. Unbelievers often try to make that argument against our faith. When going through tough times, I try to remind myself that I’m getting spiritual exercise!
And just like physical exercise you are always happy you endured it when it’s over! Thank you for reading and commenting! God bless!
Romans 8:18
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” I have forgotten about this verse! It should speak to us all. So many times we forget that “trials and sufferings” make way for absolute glory and provision from our Father! I pray I never forget this truth!
It is so true! We tend to focus on the pain and the discomfort of the moment but forget about the benefit following the trial as well as our eternal reward! Thank you for reading and commenting! God bless!