Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Romans 8:35-37, English Standard Version

 

Most of us have become so accustomed to the pursuit of personal comfort and happiness that we are unprepared for trials in our lives.

Trials happen. Sometimes they are consequences of our own actions or the actions of others. Sometimes they come as attacks from the enemy. Trials strip us of all pretence. They reveal how we really feel about God and what we believe and know to be true about Him. Some turn away from God during times of mild testing; while others grow and mature under severe trials.

God uses trials to train your character so that you can be more like Christ and become more than a conqueror through Christ.

All trials are only temporary and will pass. No trouble in and of itself is a source of joy, but those who endure will bear the peaceful fruit of righteousness (Hebrews 12:11). Suffering itself does not produce joy, but there is great joy after our suffering. Jesus endured the cross because His heart was filled with joyous anticipation of everything that would be accomplished through His finished work.

Because of our faith in Christ, we are to be patient in the face of adversity and hardship. When we adopt the same attitude as Jesus, we can be confident and joyful that God is working everything out for our good. Sometimes we feel like we are losing our minds because we feel so disheartened and sad. But please do the best you can and not forget your identity and inheritance in Christ. Then, when we get through the difficult times, we will be better and not bitter.

In John 16:33, Jesus says, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But be of good cheer, because I have overcome the world.” Regardless of the difficulties we face, Jesus encourages us to be courageously cheerful because He has already overcome the world. Christ's victory is ours, and we can overcome any challenge in life by walking in the truth of His finished work.