Does the Bible address God’s purpose for all the difficult tests & trials we all face throughout our lifetime?
The book of James is for the practical person, and perhaps that’s one of the reasons it’s one of my favorite books in the Bible.
James 1:2-3 says, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”
The subjects that the book of James covers are issues that we all face daily, if not hourly. And the main point of all the questions James raises is that a true and a sincere saving faith, needs to result in changed behavior. The words translated “test” in the Bible (both the Old Testament & the New) means “to prove by trial.” Therefore, when God tests His children, His purpose is to prove that our faith is real.
Not all testing and trials are demonic, but even for those that are, we would be wise to recognize and take to heart in what 1 John 4:2-5 says, “This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.”
The reality that the testing of our faith can come in small ways and daily irritations, but also they may be severe afflictions as well as from attacks from Satan, like Job faced. Yet, may we all be encouraged by his response when he said in Job 1:21-23, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.”
Whenever we’re tempted to be mad, or frustrated, or simply just can’t understand why God is allowing (you fill-in the blanks) in our lives … we should learn from Job’s response and consider the very long list of ways he was tested.
Whatever the source of your testing is right now, it is to your benefit to undergo the trials that God allows with a sincere attitude that He ultimately knows what’s best, even if you can’t see or understand why it’s happening to you.
May we all be encouraged by what Paul says in Romans 8:27-28, “And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”