We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us -- they help us learn to endure.  And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. (Romans 5:3-5)

Say What???

Rejoice over our trials??  They are good for us??  We see in the Word of God that  problems and trials will come.  This scripture says, 'when we run into problems and trials' -- it doesn't say, 'if we run into problems and trials'.  Though this thought may seem contrary to main stream preaching in many Charismatic/Word of Faith churches today, it is not contrary to the Word of God.  And so, as we do at CRJournal.com, we are going to study the Scriptures to determine what it is that we should believe.  I have actually had people tell me that regardless of what scripture may say, they will believe what they want to believe about this subject.  But sticking our heads in the sand and pretending that there are no problems will not make them go away.  Let's go to God's Holy Word for direction.

Solid Foundations

When Jesus taught in a parable about the importance of building our lives on his teachings in Matthew 7:24-27, he used an illustration of building houses.  He said that the wise man will build his house on a solid rock and that the foolish man will build his house on the sand.  Then Jesus makes an interesting statement, he said, "When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house....".  Jesus knew we would have trials in our lives.  In fact, Jesus taught the disciples by saying, "Here on earth you will  have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).  Was it that Jesus did not have enough 'faith' to believe that his disciples would never have to go through 'stuff'?  No, not at all, but he was so wise and loving that he knew what was in store for his friends and that it would teach them a lot about endurance, faith, character and total reliance on God. So he prepared them for the trials ahead in order to prevent them from being disillusioned and discouraged, but to instead, teach them to turn to God for the help they would need to get through the trials.

Some Charismatic/Word of Faith ministers are teaching that if a person is going through a trial, that person must somehow be lacking in faith because only good and perfects gifts come from above -- although that is not what this particular verse says (Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows  James 1:17).  While every good gift does come from our Father, some of those good gifts are given to teach us lessons and prepares us for our future (isn't He a great Father!).  Trials are a part of life and they serve as a benefit to strengthen us.  

However, the erroneous teaching says that we are to be always be healthy, wealthy, and to have everything our heart desires....giving the illusion that our Christianity somehow produces a form of Utopia for our lives.  Scripture teaches us the exact opposite.  These teachings full of error take Gods Holy Word and twist it to make it say something that it never intended to say.  I feel for the poor souls who listen to such teachings.  They are the foolish ones that Jesus was talking about who, instead of following the teaching of Christ, are following man-made philosophies..... and so when the storms of life come -- their houses 'fall with a mighty crash'.  

When the people of God believe these false teachings, it has several effects on them:  

1)  They live their life believing that only good and nice things are going to happen to them.  

2)  When trials do come, these people, totally shocked and disillusioned, don't know how to handle the situation.  

3)  Since they are going through a trial (and since it can't possibly be God) -- they are forced to believe they have failed when it comes to their faith, thus making their trial even harder and  turning to God more difficult because they feel somehow they have failed Him.  

4)  Most of their 'Christian' friends (also believing that their friends have done something wrong and are being punished for it and/or just lack the faith to get out of it) -- abandon them....leaving them all alone.  

5)  These people are by now so shaken and believe a wrong view of God, that they in turn, loose heart....weakening their faith when it needs to be strongest.  

6)  Then the same erroneous teachers turn around and say, 'See, I told you that they did not have enough faith!', leaving these people beaten down, feeling guilty, alone, confused, mad at God, and feeling like total failures.  This is what these types of teachings do to the body of Christ.

...but the joys to come will last forever

So let's take a look at suffering and trials in Scripture to find out what our Lord taught about it.  In doing so, we will be like the wise man who builds his house on the solid rock so when 'rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse, because  it is built on rock'. There seems to be five major ways that trials come in scripture (though this may not be exhaustive):

1)  Troubles and hard times come! (John 16:33 & 2 Corinthians 4:16-18)  In our humanistic society, we do not like the idea of not being in control of every aspect of our lives.  But, like it our not, we do face situations that we would rather not have to face.  No one wants to see a family member die, a car accident, or a starving or abused child.  In our fallen world, there are so many unfortunate events that take place every day that we have no control of.  But, as Christians, we have a loving Father that we can turn to for comfort, strength, and wisdom to deal with those events.

2)  Being corrected by God and/or our faith being tested by God.  I know that I may be stepping on some toes...but like it or not it is biblical - and oh boy, do I have Scripture to back this up! (Revelation 3:19 & Hebrews 12:5-11 -  just to start with)  I have also seen this in action in my own life.  Praise God, he did not leave me in my ignorance and pride, but in his mercy brought me through a lot of 'stuff' to teach me what I  needed to know to face the life that he has for me.  God loves us so much that he tests us and prunes us, cutting away all unnecessary limbs so that we can grow tall, strong, and produce lots of good fruit. Other scriptures to consider about this subject:  Proverbs 17:3; John 15:1-8; Genesis 22; the book of Job (though you will be told by some that this book should not be regarded - another example of picking and choosing which of God's Holy Word that we as humans should believe); Genesis 2:16-17 -- yes, the tree in the Garden of Eden was as test!  Oh, I could go through the whole bible - every single book - and give examples of God testing his people.

3)  Suffering for the name of Christ (1 Peter 4:12-19).  We are aliens on this earth (Heb. 11:13 & 1 Pet. 2:11) and as such -- we are not accepted or liked.  Jesus said, "When the world hates you, remember it hated me before it hated you.  The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don't.  I chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you.  Do you remember what I told you?  'A servant is not greater than he master.'  Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you...". (John 15:18-20)  Paul (who suffered many things for the sake of Christ) considered it an honor to share in the sufferings of Christ (2 Cor. 8-10).  During these times of persecution, we know that though it is not easy to face insults, rejection, beatings or even death, Gods grace is sufficient. 

4)  An attack of the Devil (1 Peter 5:8, Luke 22:31 & Job 1:7).  We do have an enemy and yes he wants to destroy us.  But God gives us clear direction on dealing with this enemy.  So humble yourselves before God.  Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)  Remember too, that we have a Great High Priest, who makes intercession for us just as Jesus did for Peter while he was on earth (Hebrews 5:7 & Hebrews 9:24).

5)  Consequences of sin.  Though we humble ourselves and ask God and others to forgive us....there are times when we may still have to face the consequences of sin in our lives.  For instance, if instead of walking in Love one day, we decide to be mean....say mean things to those around us, ignore their feelings and treat them like dirt -- we will reap the consequences of those actions until we ask for forgiveness and reconcile that relationship.  There may be other cases when the consequences may be more severe (such as stealing or adultery)....this is when (after asking God to forgive us) we should pray and ask God to give us the wisdom, insight and grace to deal with such circumstances.

He will be With You

"Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.  For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything"  James 1:2-4.  

How is our faith tested?  When we face hard times, we have two choices...will we turn to God for help or try to handle the situation on our own?  During this time of trial, our belief that our God cares and will help us through the trial is tested.  Proverbs 17:3 says, "Fire tests the  purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart".  God does care and will help us through.  We sometimes wonder why, when we pray for God to help with our trials, he doesn't just take them away.  God always hears our prayers.  Whether he makes the problem go away or gives us wisdom and strength to make it through the problem....he is answering our prayer. 

While this article doesn't even come close to covering all the issues on this subject, such as Paul's many sufferings or Job's tests, hopefully it has set the groundwork for more study in the Word.  With this article, I wanted to first establish that trials, troubles, hard times and sufferings are biblical (which was done with an abundance of Scripture).  This was done to counteract the false teachings that are out there.  

Secondly, this article was intended to establish that we do not serve a God that plays with our hearts, our heads or our lives as a sport -- as some have accused him of.  But in His sovereignty, knows what we will go through, and is working all things for our good (Romans 8:28).  

And thirdly, to establish that we have a loving and caring God to whom we may turn to in the time of need.  He comforts us  in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.  When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. (2 Corinthians 1:4)  While we may not always understand or be able to find all the 'why's' to our trials, and while we cannot always make sense of pain and suffering......we need to always turn to God for the help, comfort, wisdom and grace we need to get through the hard times of our lives.

 

Founder and Editor of Charismatic Reform Journal © 2000, Charismatic Reform Journal