Trials to Testimonies

Friday, July 22, 2022

How might you define the term trial as it has manifested itself in your life? Does your definition include the account(s) of hardship related to relationships, health, finances, employment, loss?  Perhaps your experience related to a trial(s) could include all the above.   

Trials are certainly a part of life.   A fallen world in which sin is present lays the foundation for brokenness and hurt.   

Peter as a disciple of Christ knew trials.   His life after Christ’s resurrection and ascension would include them.   Persecution was experienced by the first church.   The followers and believers in Christ would not be deterred by the trials they faced. Faith and courage would be demonstrated sacrificially.   The deposit of which would provide a great testimony. Peter encouraged the believer to cast all anxiety on God because of his care for us.

Peter warned believers to be aware of the devil’s schemes. In 1 Peter 5: 8-9, he wrote the following:

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

The devil our enemy is aware of the power that results when believers run to God in the midst of their trials.   The enemy is bent on the absolute destruction of each person.   He seeks to devour, to crush, to tear apart.   

A trial can serve as a catalyst for the unravelling of one’s faith or it can be the instrument of its solidification.   Steadfast faith includes the active practice of it.   

In 1 Peter 5:10, Peter offered the following prayerful words of encouragement: 

 ¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.

God can use trials and suffering to complete a good work in us while doing a good work through us.   

Trials promote our dependence upon God.   Peter’s lack of strength in his denial of Christ prior the crucifixion made him keenly aware of his need to place his complete reliance upon him.   

Trials help strengthen our spiritual walk.  The refinement process of trials allows one to spiritual discern the value of choices and outcomes more clearly.  

Trials promote opportunity for Testimonies of God’s faith, love, mercy, and grace.   Our dependence upon God throughout trials promotes opportunity to demonstrate his power.   

May today you be encouraged in the trials you face.   Depend on God as your trial becomes a testimony of His Glory and His good work in you and through you for others to see.     

Pastor Dan Blakely