Am I enduring adversity? - Part 3

Why must we endure adversity?

1. To test and strengthen our faith
Trials reveal whether our faith rests in God Himself or only in comfort and outcomes.

These trials are only to test your faith, to see whether or not it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it—and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold; so if your faith remains strong after being tried in the test tube of fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day of his return. - 1 Peter 1:7 (Living Bible)

2. To humble us
Suffering reminds us of our dependence on God and strips away self-reliance.

Do you remember how the Lord led you through the wilderness for all those forty years, humbling you and testing you to find out how you would respond, and whether or not you would really obey him? Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to both you and your ancestors. He did it to help you realize that food isn’t everything, and that real life comes by obeying every command of God. Deuteronomy 8:2-3 (Living Bible)

3. To wean us from worldly things
Trials loosen our grip on temporary comforts and refocus our hearts on what truly lasts.

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our inner strength in the Lord is growing every day. These troubles and sufferings of ours are, after all, quite small and won’t last very long. Yet this short time of distress will result in God’s richest blessing upon us forever and ever! So we do not look at what we can see right now, the troubles all around us, but we look forward to the joys in heaven which we have not yet seen. The troubles will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (Living Bible)

4. To call us to an eternal hope
Pain lifts our eyes beyond this life and anchors us in the promises of heaven.

For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we really are God’s children. And since we are his children, we will share his treasures—for all God gives to his Son Jesus is now ours too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later. - Romans 8:16-18 (Living Bible)

5. To reveal what we truly love
Hardship exposes what we treasure most—whether Christ or idols.

Anyone who wants to be my follower must love me far more than he does his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, or sisters—yes, more than his own life—otherwise he cannot be my disciple. And no one can be my disciple who does not carry his own cross and follow me. - Luke 14:26-27 (Living Bible)

6. To teach us the blessing of obedience
Obedience learned through suffering deepens our trust and aligns our will with God’s will.

And even though Jesus was God’s Son, he had to learn from experience what it was like to obey when obeying meant suffering. It was after he had proved himself perfect in this experience that Jesus became the Giver of eternal salvation to all those who obey him. - Hebrews 5:8 (Living Bible)

7. To enable us to assist others in their suffering
God uses our trials to make us compassionate and effective encouragers.

What a wonderful God we have—he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us. You can be sure that the more we undergo sufferings for Christ, the more he will shower us with his comfort and encouragement. - 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (Living Bible)

8. To develop enduring strength for greater usefulness
Perseverance produced through trials equips us for lasting fruit and faithful service.

Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete. - James 1:2-4 (Living Bible)

Heavenly Father, I come before You with gratitude and humility, knowing that nothing in my life is outside Your wise and loving hand. Even in trials, You are at work for my good and for Your glory. Help me to trust that the testing of my faith is not wasted, but is strengthening and refining me.
Humble my heart, Lord, and keep me dependent on You. Loosen my grip on worldly comforts and deepen my longing for what is eternal. Lift my eyes beyond present pain and anchor my hope in Your promises.
Search me and reveal what I truly love. Where my heart is divided, make it whole. Teach me obedience, even when it is hard, and help me walk faithfully in Your ways. Shape my character through every difficulty I face.
Use my suffering to make me more compassionate and more useful to others. Let me be a source of comfort, encouragement, and truth to those who are hurting. Build endurance in me so I may serve You with greater strength and perseverance.
Thank You that You never waste a trial and never leave me alone in it. I rest in Your purpose, Your presence, and Your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Be Encouraged that the One who knows you best, loves you most.



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