SUFFERING AS A TRIAL OF FAITH

From earliest times, God has tested his children with suffering of one kind or another in order to try their faith and equip them to carry greater responsibilities in his work of bringing his eternal purposes to pass. Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses and David were among God’s choicest saints; yet in these and countless other cases, God tested and trained his servants through long years of affliction before finally moving to accomplish his purposes through them.

God still tests his children in order to fit us for our place in his plan and to work his will through us. Suffering is still one of his tools. Often he asks us to suffer in the dark, as he did with his saints of old, promising us good but allowing us only apparent evil. Only by such pressure can he strengthen and fit sinful humans for his use. Is it not the pressure of untold centuries that transforms common carbon until it flashes with the iridescence of flawless diamonds? Only by similar testing can God refine our feeble faith until it is strong enough to embrace his purposes and do his will.

The apostles Peter and James taught that such testing is a cause for joy. ‘Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you,’ Peter wrote to the early church. ‘But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed’ (1 Peter 4:12). He warns them to expect such sufferings: ‘now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ’ (1 Peter 1:6-7).

James begins his letter with similar teaching: ‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything….Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because then he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him’ (James 1:2-4,12).

God is accomplishing his eternal purposes through Christians whose faith he has tested and tempered like steel. Suffering is one of the means by which he perfects his work of faith in his people. And the trial of our faith is precious in God’s sight.

God is not the author of suffering. He did not intend that humanity should suffer. But because of our sin, suffering is now a part of our human heritage. Rather than let it ravage his people in wild and useless waste, God in his economy harnesses suffering and turns it to the perfecting of his own designs. The wise Christian is he who aligns himself with his Creator in his purposes, and so does not suffer in vain.

It is possible that your suffering today may be God’s trying of your faith in order to equip you for greater responsibilities in his service. Trust him, and serve him faithfully and uncomplainingly. One day, his purpose accomplished, you will shine with the glory of Christ’s likeness before your Father’s face.

(Margaret Clarkson, Destined For Glory, pp.81-83)