Purpose in Trials

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-8 (NKJV)

As a saint, there is always the hope that a trial will produce Christ’s character. In your spirit, you will be strengthened and grown. In your soul, you will bear the fruit of the Spirit, resulting in righteous lifestyle choices.

God’s grace has lifted you from the meaningless estate of being a Hell-bound sinner. His grace has given you the eternal purpose of being a citizen of Heaven. Since you have escaped the futility of the world’s lifestyle, you are now living proof that God’s character has been implanted into your spirit and you are His child. For this very reason, pay attention to your spiritual growth. Paul says that you’ve been made into a new person in Christ and he also says that the Holy Spirit is changing you by gradual stages into a more accurate reflection of Jesus Christ. “And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” 2 Corinthians 3:18b (NLT).

What are the truths that you believe strongly? Think about the love that God has shown you by giving you eternal life and a righteous nature. Since He has made you righteous already, use your trials to practice being a person who exudes good Christlike qualities.

Truth is what stabilizes you and sets you free from false identities, sins, and demonic attackers. Read your Bible and increase in knowledge. The more you know, the more you can grow! Read the gospels and see how Jesus used self-control in adversity. Emulate Him and take control of your will. View each of your health challenges and trials as an opportunity to learn perseverance. Perseverance is a muscle that requires you to flex and strain, resulting in incredible resiliency.

If you look back at 2 Peter 1:5-8, you’ll see that the pinnacle of spiritual growth is kindness and love. Kindness and love are tested when your health, finances, or relationships are tested. View each trial as an opportunity to become more patient, more kind, more godly and more loving. Don’t give up! Embrace the trial as an opportunity to become more consistently Christlike. There is tremendous grace available when you must learn through experience the goodness and faithfulness of God. Trials are the context for developing your character to be more like Christ, reflecting His characteristics more accurately.

Jesus became qualified to be our High Priest because He learned experientially how to go through trials and temptations. He became the perfect Captain because He was tested Himself and found the faith and perseverance. In the book of James, you are urged to view your trials as experiential-learning opportunities to become perfect like Jesus. “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. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4 (NLT). What is the purpose of the trial? It is for you to grow your roots down into Jesus and produce His perfect fruits.

Prayer: “Dear Heavenly Father, Teach me to trust you, even when I can’t see your rescue. Show me the ways that you are working in me and in the situations in my life. Give me a thankful heart to recognize and thank you for your provision, your blessings, and your love, despite my difficult circumstances. Fill me with your grace, so that I can grow to be a better reflection of Jesus. In Jesus’s name amen.”