Biblical Perspectives in Everyday Life
Trials are a part of life and, often, these difficulties are approached solely from a personal perspective. For a believer in Christ, however, personal trials have the potential to benefit others in, at least, two specific ways.
TRIALS ARE USED BY GOD TO EQUIP A BELIEVER TO BRING HIS COMFORT TO OTHERS
Believers are recipients of God’s comfort in any trouble and, as a result, are divinely enabled to comfort others in their difficulties.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
TRIALS PROVIDE AN AVENUE FOR A BELIEVER TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS
A Christ-like response to trials validates what Jesus is accomplishing in a believer’s life.
1 Peter 3:15, Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
The two perspectives above were taken to heart by a committed follower of Christ who gave the following testimony.
PERSONAL TESTIMONY
In all of my trials of life, especially the last 25 years, I asked God to help me go through them to be His Witness to others. He has answered my prayer.
While going through the last surgery that left me permanently disabled six years ago, I came to the belief that God had a specific reason for placing me in this challenge. I became aware that, through all of the health trials, I was to be a witness of God’s power, greatness, and glory in everyday life.
Too many people have the “belief” in God that He’s good for being a “go-to” Helper when they are in trouble. They also “believe” it would be advisable to know God at the end of one’s life. Too many Christians, however, do not realize that God is our reason for living. He wants to be at the center of our lives “24/7” … every day, week, month, and year.
Realizing this, I came to the place that I could truly praise God that He would count me worthy to experience trials so that others would see the difference Jesus Christ had made in my life, especially in the midst of crippling trials.
It’s not fun to suffer. The only way for me to go through suffering and not lose hope is to realize there is SOMEONE bigger than me who is in charge of the suffering and the trials. I can’t even begin to tell you how precious God is to me today and what joy I have in this relationship with Him.
During these years, I have had some “friends” who walked away from me completely because they could not stand to see me suffer. Others became aware that they might also suffer in life and didn’t want that reminder by watching me. They drifted away as well. On the other hand, God has brought into my life one person after another to whom I could minister while in my difficulties. I have experienced such joy to see them “helped with the same help with which I have been helped.”
There are some days that I’m in such pain and so weary and tired that going home to heaven looks far better than staying here. During those times, however, God reminds me that He has placed me here for His purposes; and He strengthens me once again.
Believers need to remember that God is not finished with us here on earth as long as we have breath. Satan wants to see the testimony of believers diminish. Yet, Satan was conquered when Jesus died on the cross. The knowledge of the power of Christ “keeps me on the job” for Him.
I often reflect on the words of one of my favorite songs, which says, “Many times I have questioned and failed to believe, but He’s been faithful, faithful to me.” When I think of His faithfulness to me, my response is strengthened to be faithful to Him.
As often as possible, I remind others, “God is truly faithful to His children!”
The message so clearly stated in the above testimony needs to be embraced by believers in the midst of trials. Followers of Christ who have endured difficulties or continue to face ongoing problems have credibility to proclaim the truth of God’s faithfulness to others undergoing trials. With this credibility, believers are equipped by the Lord to help others with the same comfort that they received from Him. Pray that those in the family of God will use their “comfort in trials credibility” to make a difference for Christ.
(For an in-depth study on the many purposes of trials, see God’s Purposes in His Children’s Trials at WordTruth.net— http://www.wordtruth.net)
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Testimony—My Trials Can Help Others © 2009 WordTruth, Inc—http://www.wordtruth.net
Verses from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version © 2001Version by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers