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7/17/2016
John Tanner
How to Handle Trials
- As Christians, we must expect
These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. [John 16:33] (See 2 Corinthians 1:8-9; 11:23-33)
- We must accept And we can because …
- God is sovereign.
“For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” [Jeremiah 29:11]
(See also Job 1:21; 2:10; and Matthew 26:37-38)
- God loves us.
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. [1 Peter 5:6-7]
(See also Deuteronomy 10:14,15; and John 3:16)
- God is with us.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. [Psalm 46:1] (See also Psalm 37:5, and Hebrews 2:18)
- We don’t need to understand WHY. God owes us no explanation!
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
- We must embrace trials as a learning opportunity.
- God uses trials for our own good.
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. [Romans 8:28]
- God uses trials to change us, to make us more like Christ.
And not only this, but we also exult 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. [Romans 5:3-5]
- God commands us to rejoice during trials.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [Philippians 4:4-7]
- We can do this by…
- Maintaining an attitude of gratitude (Psalms 34:8, 2 Corinthians 12:8-10)
- Continuing in worship and prayer (Job 1:20, James 5:13)
- Leaning on God for strength (Psalms 73:26, 28)
- Asking others for help (John 19:28, Galatians 6:2)
- We must use trials to comfort others.
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 will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. [2 Corinthians 1:3-4] (See also 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14; Galatians 6:2; 1 Corinthians 12:26)
CONCLUSION
- 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. [1 Peter 1:6-7] (See also Psalms 147:3-6a and Romans 8:35, 37-39)
- Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison. [2 Corinthians 4:16-17]