4 Reasons Trials Are Good



“Life’s trials are not easy. But in God’s will, each has a purpose.”

– Warren Wiersbe

Refining the Impurities

If you’ve ever watched gold being refined or purified by having the dross burned away then you might think of how God refines us by trials of fire. The refiner must keep refining the gold and keep removing impurities until it’s as pure of gold as possible. How does the refiner know when the process is over? It’s when he sees his own reflection in the gold. That is what we are to be in the process of; becoming more like Christ day by day and year by year, until others can see Jesus reflected in us.

Sharing in the Suffering

Did you know that you were actually called into the suffering of Christ and to share in His sufferings? That’s not my idea. That’s what the Bible teaches and what the Apostle Peter wrote; “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (1st Pet 2:21) so “rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed” (1st Pet 4:13).

Refining our Character

Part of the reason for trials was written by the Apostle Peter in 1st Peter 1:7 “so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” even “though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials” (1st Pet 1:6). If we’re never tested can our faith be trusted?

Correcting our Flaws

God may use trails to correct us but it is always, 100% of the time, done because He loves us because “the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (Heb 12:6) so “It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline” (Heb 12:7). If He doesn’t discipline us when we need it, we are not His sons and daughters (Heb 12:8) and God may be telling someone to repent and trust in Christ.

Conclusion

I must admit that life’s trials are not easy but I also agree that in God’s will, each has a purpose. Trials reveal His great love for us, much like God revealed on the cross, dying for wicked sinners and His own natural enemies (Rom 5:8, 10). Trials can also draw us closer to God and into a greater dependence upon Him, two things that He desires.