It is a guarantee that you will face hardships in this life. This has been a long year filled with trials. She now “looked with contempt” at Sarai (or “considered her lightly”), and Sarai in turn perceived this as a threat against her place in the household and became defensive. When Job reached this point, God appeared to him and spoke to him.” From God’s words, we see that when God’s trials come upon us, we will become weak and negative and this is normal, but we should have true faith in God. I am not talking about the, “Oh no, I just ate the last Twix bar.” I am talking about open heart surgery, cancer, stroke, pregnancy dilemma’s, death, financial upheaval, marriage struggles, and physical ailments. But in any case, you must have faith in God ’s work, and not deny God, like Job. To believe them even when circumstances would say otherwise. I’ve been entered into a time of waiting and I have been trying to trust the plans that God has for me. We all encounter a steady stream of challenges and burdens, and sometimes these problems feel overwhelming. The faith and obedience of Job and Abraham are something we should imitate. After his son grew up, God asked him to offer up his only son Isaac to Him as a sacrifice. Several days later, my condition took a favorable turn and I gradually recovered my health, contrary to what the doctor had said. Through this time I endured some big trials and some small trials that would test my faith. We should trust God to keep his promises in his own time and way. You are in the loving hands of the Almighty like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. The Bible is full of stories of people going through trials and tribulations. Trusting God Through Our Trials (D3) Trust in God. Trust in … Through reflection, I saw that when I encountered something that was not in accordance with my own ideas, I could make demands of God, complain to and blame Him, and that I had no true faith in Him and was not truly obedient to Him. No matter what kind of refinement you undergo in your experiences from God’s words, God requires mankind’s faith. We are not promised a life that is easy. How Can Christians Keep Faith in God in Setbacks? In Genesis 15, Abram believed that God would fulfill the promise of offspring (12:2) through his servant Eliezer (15:2-3), probably assuming he was too old to physically have a child. February 20, 2018 Our relationship with God is growing more and more distant as a result of the fast-paced life. When it comes to people overcoming their trials, the storms in … In response, she came up with the plan that set the chapter’s events in motion, and she treated Hagar unjustly when threatened. “My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. But right away, we’re given hints that this was a bad idea. Genesis 16:13 – “So she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, ‘You are a God of seeing,’ for she said, ‘Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.”. In this 7-day plan, you will explore through different Psalms where David trusted and depended on God. Failure is Pain: Trusting God Through Trials. Years later, Abram assumed that he’d misunderstood God’s promise and tried to make his servant Eliezer his heir. ... Not long after I signed up to get emails , I felt God’s comfort and peace come over me as I was going through “Trusting God”. It means that by trusting we have peace, even if the worst case scenario happens. In another echo of Genesis 3, Sarai blamed her actions on Abram who refused to take any responsibility. Faith Failure is Pain: Trusting God Through Trials. Every brother and sister will encounter trials, like illness, persecution and suffering, natural and manmade disasters. First Peter 4:12–13 says, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. When God’s Trials Befall, How Should We Treat Them? It’s important to note that every character in this chapter is a mixture of sinner and sufferer. In response, Hagar does something no other character in the in the Bible does: she gives a name to God, calling him “a God of seeing”, because she has “seen him who looks after me.” (v. 13) The name reflects God’s significance to her: she’s seen by him. Abram and Sarai knew this all too well. But we are promised that God will be with us. I always wanted to expend some things for You in exchange for the blessings to enter the kingdom of heaven. First, she’s to return to Abram’s household and submit to Sarai. 2. Trusting God Through Trials. I have read and agree to the privacy policy. Taken with the name of Ishmael, God shows himself to be a God who hears and sees. Trusting Through the Trials One of the biggest obstacles to faith is the suffering of the innocent. No matter how You work, I am willing to be obedient to the end.” When I truly obeyed God, a miracle happened. Kind David had an admirable humility before God. He entrusted Job, Joseph, Daniel, Moses, David, Isaiah, Paul and many others with major trials. Even if they are not in line with our own notions and imaginings, we should still accept and submit to them with a seeking heart, because everything God does is good, and among it all is the will of God. I was too selfish and despicable! When it comes to people overcoming their trials, the storms in life, they all had one thing in common. Tweet . Think about the stories from the Bible of people God used. When I had spent a bit for God, I wanted to exchange God’s rewards and blessings. The answer is trials—God’s most used tool. I am trusting Go… Disasters Are Upon Us—What Is God’s Will? I know that as a child of God, practicing my faith for decades now, I should have got the hang of trusting God through the myriad struggles of life. When we have trials, especially overwhelming trials, to whom or to what do we turn? 4 Ways to Strengthen Our Relationship With God. Read this sermon on sickness to grasp 4 ways of practice. She is a trailblazer and a catalyst for change; a positive thinker and someone who is very passionate and optimistic about life. Specifically, he hears and sees the cries of the afflicted and moves to act on their behalf (see also Exodus 2:23-25; Psalm 106:44). Although he didn’t understand God’s will then, he did not sin with his mouth by blaming God, but instead sought and prayed to God; after he understood God’s will, he praised God, “Jehovah gave, and Jehovah has taken away; blessed be the name of Jehovah” (Job 1:21). I am willing to put my life and death in Your hand, not make excuses, or set conditions. She’s cared for by God himself. Have you ever felt like God was taking too long to answer a prayer? This way we will stand firm and bear witness for Him in trials, and become people who are compatible with His intentions. It can be confusing and heartbreaking when God doesn’t work according to our timetables. After waiting so long, and after God confirmed that Abram would be the biological father, Sarai’s patience had run its course, and she probably reasoned that the promised offspring was never supposed to come from her. We can learn through this plan how to do the same through our personal trials. Sarai would still be Abram’s wife, and Hagar would remain her servant. They need to endure incredible suffering and all kinds of torture without departing from God at any time. Click here for a printable version of this study guide. People must reach a point where they have endured hundreds of refinements and possess faith greater than Job’s. According to the custom that Sarai employs here, the surrogate mother wouldn’t supplant the wife’s position in the household. Begin each day with our website! How should Christians experience sickness? Often times we may flee from God’s trials, and even misunderstand and guard against God because of not understanding the will of God as He tries people. Although Job was weak and cursed the day of his own birth, he did not deny that all things in human life were bestowed by … When they are obedient until the death, and have great faith in God, then this stage of God’s work is complete.” After reading this, I came to know that, this illness that had come upon me was God’s trial, and God used it to make me reflect on what impurities there were in my faith in God. Most of the people we remember faced great trials. On the contrary, if we are in conflict, resisting or even flee from God’s trials, not only will we not gain His leadership or receive any nourishment of the truth or the life, but we will betray Him because of misunderstandings about and complaints toward Him, and in the end the only one who will be at a loss will be ourselves. Things had gotten that bad! He had many challenges in his life and knew to trust in God through every trial. All … In faith. Because God’s essence is beautiful and good, and all that He does for us is love and salvation. To not lean on my own understanding. People’s faith is required for when something cannot be seen by the naked eye, and your faith is required for when you cannot let go of your own notions. Do You Know the Way to Trusting God Through Trials? Read this article to learn 4 ways to strengthen our relationship with God. Trusting God through the Trials of Life. While Job is well-known for his trust in God, for a few chapters, he boldly asks the big question to God that we all ask when we just don't understand. When you are not clear on God’s work, what is required is your faith and that you take a firm stance and stand witness. When God tested him, he didn’t make a bit of his own choices or requirements but obeyed God absolutely instead, so God blessed him so that his descendants would be as numerous as the grains of sand on a beach or the stars in the sky, and would eventually become great nations. By Huixin Every brother and sister will encounter trials, like illness, persecution and suffering, natural and manmade disasters. It's not about facing bad times but how we respond when we face… I've been reading in the book in Job. Whether this illness is a trial or discipline, I will no longer complain about You. You can opt out if you wish. I still have moments in trials and difficulties of being overwhelmed or fearful because I don't always keep my eyes on Christ. Trusting God through trials means trusting Him and His plan! Trusting God in hard times, trusting God in difficult times, means believing He has a plan for it all and knows INFINITELY more than we do. Trusting God through trials is hard. That ability to thrive (and not just survive) a trial is founded on three principles that we've discovered as we've learned about trusting God through difficult times. Persist, keep asking in faith believing that in due time God will answer your prayer. Second, he tells her that she’s going to bear a son, and his name is to be Ishmael, which means “God hears”. Wanting to share these life-changing truths with others, we took this classic book and incorporated into our Teach Uplifted program , as well as the Teach Uplifted Devotions . What's the purpose of trials, why does an all-powerful God allow us to go through trials? Print Article. When do you experience similar struggles? Meanwhile, I also saw that I made bargains with God in my belief. In Genesis 16, we find Abram and Sarai doubting whether Sarai will be the woman to bear Abram a child. But in a beautiful scene, God meets her on the road, calls her by name, and then tells her two things. Hagar too both sinned (v. 4) and was sinned against (v. 6). Things that in and of themselves would be a sufficient trial but added together leads to an overwhelming feeling of heartache. Our faith is tested the most when we pass through difficulty and despair. rights reserved. Welcome to Our Daily Devotionals. Then James illustrates and says: 1. What Is True Faith in God? Hello friends! When he was 100 years old, God gave him a son. The Bible says, “For You, O God, have proved us: You have tried us, as silver is tried” (Psalm 66:10). Trusting God Through Our Trials. Trials for me, trials for those I love. Even as a Christian, Jesus tells us this in John 16:33: “…in this world, you will have tribulation…” (John 16:33). They did what they knew God wanted them to … Even though he became weak at the time, yet he knew that his son was bestowed by God, he did not complain and sincerely offered to return his son to God. The Bible is rich with complex truths that we could spend a lifetime unpacking, but here are four truths that can help you trust God through your trials: 1. trusting god through the trials brings you closer to god It’s as if you have to be in this certain place, this place of despair, in order to fully reveal the whole of who God is.Let’s be honest here. Have you ever tried to take matters into your own hands instead of trusting in God and his timing? I let my anxiety get the best of me. This is the sense that we as created beings must possess. And trusting God is on a whole ‘nother level. As a Christian, do you have true faith in God? Mature Christianity allows us to be happy in spite of our circumstances. detail mentioned back in Genesis 11:30 returns here: Sarai is barren. Why Does God Test Us? This practice of surrogate motherhood was a common practice at that time. Category: Sermon Guides. No matter how we suffer pain and refinement because of this environment, even in mortal danger, we still should seek and obey, not lose faith in God and stand witness in trials. He definitely had reason to do so, as he lost everything he had and his wife wanted him to curse God and die. I knew I was disobedient to God, so I quickly came in front of Him and prayed, “O God! What God does is convert words to faith, to love, and to life. Ultimately, trusting God is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. Even if I know all the truths above, the Holy Spirit must empower me to take hold of them by faith. Trust Through The Trials. James recognizes that we may not always be able to see the purpose in trials or see the good that can come from trials.2. But God made it explicitly clear that Abram himself would have a son. However, what is our attitude when facing God’s trials in our real life? Have you read and do you agree to our privacy policy? Abram too had been longing for a child for years, and he passively stood by and went with Sarai’s plan. 6 Days. God says, “If, like Job, man is able to submit to God’s orchestrations and arrangements, and can give his entire being to the hands of God, then will man’s end not be the same as Job’s—the receipt of God’s blessings? You cannot touch or see it; it is under these circumstances that your faith is required. A Rough Experience of Welcoming the Lord’s Return. ~ Isaiah 43:2. Although Job was weak and cursed the day of his own birth, he did not deny that all things in human life were bestowed by Jehovah, and that Jehovah is also the One to take it all away. Sarai was tired and heartbroken after years of wanting a child and seeing no answer to that desire. We’d love for you to gather your family together to read this devotion below together, reminding them that when we go through hard times, God is always in control.~ Patrick and Ruth The Bible says a lot about trusting God in difficult times. To be quite honest, I have been going through some tough times in my relationship with God. Even if He is deliberately doing some things contrary to our intentions to train us, His purpose is to purify us so that we can become people who truly obey Him and gain His salvation. Many years earlier, God had promised to give him the land of Canaan and numerous offspring. 11:32PM EST 11/6/2008 ... One of the most amazing stories of trusting God through trouble is the account of the three courageous young men … You might be interested in reading more articles on our Spiritual Life page, or in the following articles. Not surprisingly, things went south quickly. Lamenting is biblical. I believe I was being prayed for (around 10 am central time). With that being said, this post is basically a note to self for now and for future reference. What Exactly Is God’s Will in Trials?