Facing Trials with Faith: Growing through adversity.

Facing Trials with Faith: Growing through adversity.

With Bishop Ronald K. Powell

Introduction:

A great time of testing is coming upon “those of understanding.” Who are these people to be tested? They are the righteous, those who do exploits for the Lord, who walk with God and have the wisdom of Christ. Perhaps you’ve wondered lately, “why am I being tested? Why is all of this happening to me?” Go back to your school days. When a test was given, it revealed how much you had actually learned of what you had been taught.

Paul speaks of a different school, one where we are “learning Christ” and are” taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus” (Ephesians 4:20-21). If you belong to Jesus, you are in His school. If you have served him for many years, you may have thought you’d graduated, but none of us graduates until we are in glory with him.

David spoke often of being tested and tried: “I know also, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness.” (1Chronicles 29:17)

My dear brothers and sisters, if you desire to walk righteously before the Lord, rest assured you will be tested. In fact, the deeper your walk with Jesus, the more intense your testing will be. The Bible makes this clear:

“Daniel11:32 King James Version.

32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33Those with insight will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by sword or flame, or be captured or plundered. 34Now when they fall, they will be granted a little help, but many will join them insincerely. 35Some of the wise will fall, so that they may be refined, purified, and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.

Today we gather to reflect on the challenges and trials that we face in our lives. It is important for us to understand that these trials are not meant to break us, but to strengthen our faith and character.

As we delve into this topic, let us seek guidance from the scriptures and explore the meaning behind the tests that we encounter.

We are tested by afflictions and sufferings, both our own and sufferings of other believers.

Scripture 1: James 1:2-4 (NIV)

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Explanation:

In this passage, James urges us to view our trials as opportunities for growth rather than as reasons for despair. The testing of our faith is not intended to cause us suffering, but rather to produce in us the endurance and maturity that will make us whole. When we face trials with a joyful spirit, we demonstrate our trust in God’s plan for our lives and our willingness to grow through adversity.

We are tested by delayed answers to prayers.

Scripture 2: 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV)

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

Explanation:

Peter reminds us that our trials serve to refine and strengthen our faith, just as fire refines gold. The genuineness of our faith becomes evident through the endurance and perseverance we exhibit during difficult times. Moreover, when we remain steadfast in our faith, it brings glory and honor to God, and it testifies to the transformative power of our relationship with Christ.

We are tested by our Falls and Failings.

Scripture 3: 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV)

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Explanation:

Paul encourages us to maintain an eternal perspective when facing trials. While our troubles may seem overwhelming in the present moment, they are temporary when compared to the eternal glory that awaits us. By fixing our eyes on the unseen promises of God, we can find hope and strength to endure the challenges that we encounter in this life.

Scripture 4: Romans 5:3-5 (NIV)

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Explanation:

In this passage, the apostle Paul tells us that our sufferings can lead to positive outcomes. Through suffering, we develop perseverance, which in turn builds our character and ultimately leads to hope. This hope is rooted in the love of God, which sustains us and enables us to endure the trials we face.

Conclusion:

My dear friends, as we navigate the trials that come our way, let us hold fast to the promises of God. Our faith is being tested to produce perseverance, maturity, genuineness, and hope. Let us rejoice in the knowledge that our temporary struggles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. May we trust in God’s plan for our lives, and may our faith shine brightly as a testament to His grace and love.

In conclusion, let us embrace our trials with faith, knowing that they are not arbitrary but purposeful. They serve as opportunities for spiritual growth, refining our character and deepening our trust in God. As we face our trials, may we draw strength from the scriptures and the examples of faithful individuals who persevered through adversity. Let us remember that God is with us in our trials, and He will never forsake us. May we emerge from our trials with a stronger, unwavering faith, ready to serve and glorify God in all that we do.

As we move forward, let us keep in mind the words of James 1:12 (NIV), “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” May we all find comfort and strength in the knowledge that our trials are not in vain, but are part of God’s redemptive plan for our lives. Amen.

Let us Pray!