We all experience trials and struggles in this life, but God can use them for a purpose: to strengthen our faith and dependence on Him and to make us witnesses to others of His faithfulness.
Why do we experience trials and struggles?
To be honest, we don’t have all the answers. We don’t know why someone lost a child, a loved one, a spouse or why they are battling a terminal disease. What we do know is that God can work through these trials for His purposes. However, those purposes may not become known until we meet Jesus.
Scripture speaks of trials of “many kinds” (1 Peter 1:6; James 1:2). That is certainly true of our experience. Trials come in many different forms and circumstances. We may experience them through difficult relationships, declining health, financial hardship, emotional upheaval, loss, disappointment, or circumstances beyond our control.
The Bible gives us several reasons why trials may come into our lives- for example:
Maturing and developing our faith
James tells us that the testing of our faith produces perseverance and that perseverance helps us become mature and complete (James 1:2–4).
Revealing where we are placing our trust.
When life is going well, it is easy to become self-reliant. We may begin to believe that we can manage life on our own. But difficult circumstances often remind us of how much we need God and they draw us back to Him.
Our sinful choices
Because God has given us free will, we sometimes make sinful or unwise choices that bring painful trials into our lives. It is important to realize that our sinful choices will bring consequences, but our failures do not place us beyond God’s reach.
We live in a fallen and broken world.
For sure, some trials come simply because we live in a world affected by sin and brokenness.
Although we may not understand the reason for a particular trial, there are some things we can know.
We may not always know why we are facing a trial, but we know the One who does.
God can work through circumstances we would never choose.
Importantly, Jesus Himself made this clear: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
The promise is not that we will avoid trouble. The promise is that we will never face it alone. Psalm 46:1
What can God accomplish in us through trials?
Through trials God can:
Strengthen our faith and deepen our dependence on God.
Trust doesn’t mean pretending we’re not afraid or distressed. God knows and understands our human tendency to fear. Psalm 56:3; Psalm 37:3-5 He can transform our minds so that we run to Him – our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46-1-2; Matthew 6:25; Philippians 4:19
Develop perseverance, character and our prayer life.
Consider Hannah’s prayer – she experienced infertility for years before her prayer for a child was answered. 1 Samuel 1:15; Romans 5:3-5 Trials often bring about desperate prayer, honest communication and a willingness to align our hearts with God.
Equip us to comfort others who are suffering.
We can be faithful witnesses to others who experience similar trials. 2 Corinthians 1:4; Hebrews 3:13
How should we respond when trials come?
Anxiety may be the first and natural response to trials for many of us, but God invites us to pray about everything and make our requests known to Him. Philippians 4:6
Not only are we to pray, but according to 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we are to give thanks ‘in’ all circumstances, not necessarily ‘for’ those circumstances.
Really?
Give thanks?
Yes! An incredible example of this is Paul and Silas who were beaten and thrown into jail. Yet they sang praises to God at midnight when they could not sleep. Acts 16:25
Certainly there are times we may ask the Lord to remove the trial if He is willing. Jesus Himself prayed in Gethsemane that the cup might be taken from Him. Yet He ultimately submitted to the Father’s will.
Paul also prayed that “a thorn in the flesh” would be removed from him (2 Corinthians 12:7) but it was not taken away. God had a greater purpose for this trial and Paul accepted that.
Trusting God doesn’t mean we stop asking Him to change our circumstances. It means we trust Him even when His answer is different from the one we hoped for.
How can our trials become a witness to God’s faithfulness? A Biblical example.
When we experience trials, we have an opportunity to witness to the world that God is Sovereign and can be completely trusted.
Daniel: faithfulness in the midst of testing
Daniel was an outstanding man of God and faced an unbelievably difficult decision! Would he submit to obeying a sinful act of worship by praying to the king or would he refuse and commit his life fully into the hands of his loving God?
Habits of prayer and dependence on God.
As a young man Daniel’s trials began as he was captured from his home in Jerusalem and forced to live in a foreign culture. While there he rose to an influential position while still trusting and worshipping God. His strong work ethic; strong faith and advancements in his position brought about jealousy from the other officers. Daniel’s faith- his regular habit of prayer – is where they chose to attack him. They successfully 
convinced the king that for 30 days, there should be a law that any person who prayed to anyone, divine or human- except to the king, would be thrown into the lion’s den.
When Faithfulness Costs Us
However, Daniel stood firm in his praying habit and made no attempt to hide it even though he knew the consequences. It was his faithfulness that led him to the lion’s den. He refused to compromise and God miraculously rescued him from the mouth of the lions.
Thankfully, Daniel’s intended punishment did not have the outcome that the jealous officers expected! Because they had provoked the king into an unjust action they were punished by execution.
Furthermore, because of Daniel’s faithfulness, King Darius came to believe that Israel’s God was truly powerful.
Daniel laid all his concerns, worries and fears at God’s feet and trusted Him with the outcome.
Truly, God can use our trials for a greater purpose!
5. A modern example of enduring faith in suffering is Joni Eareckson Tada.
In her life we see that God doesn’t always remove the trial; sometimes He gives us grace to endure it.
Joni Eareckson’s life powerfully illustrates this truth. At the age of 17 she became a quadriplegic in a diving accident, yet over the decades God has used her suffering for a greater
purpose. Through her writing, artwork by mouth painting, radio ministry and global advocacy, she has encouraged millions. Though she has faced deep trials – including chronic pain, cancer and emotional strain – she has kept her faith, her voice and her hope in God.
All throughout these years, she endured pain and suffering which she said forced her to rely on God one minute at a time. Her statement reminds us of the words in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 where God tells Paul that His grace is enough and His power works best when people are weak.
God developed perseverance and character in her and she continues to encourage others to persevere too! James 1:2-4
In Joni’s story, we can see many wonderful results of her terrible accident; but only God sees the whole story of our trials.
Indeed, Joni’s life has been an extraordinary, powerful example to me of what it means to trust God through enduring suffering.
Summary
So, I leave you with these two powerful reminders:
We may not know why we are facing a trial, but we know the One who does.
God never promised that we will avoid trouble. The promise is that we will never face it alone.
