Trials of Faith: 3 Promises for Tough Times
We all face trials of faith. When these times come, we can respond in a variety of ways.
Some people blame God for trials, take offense, and turn away from him. Others try to fix the broken circumstances as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, some of us numb ourselves or escape into work.
Today, we’ll talk about how to grow through trials of faith instead of being thrown off course by them.
Trials of Faith
Last year at this time, the valley behind our house flooded. After three days of rain, the ice encasing the creek finally gave way, and the whole valley was swallowed in the icy torrent.
Standing at the bridge, the words of Isaiah 43:2 came to mind: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
We will all face the waters of adversity in life. At times, we might wonder if the flood is going to sweep us away.
During these times, we can remind ourselves that God has a purpose for these raging waters.
Waters of Adversity and Trials of Faith
God uses the waters of adversity and trials of faith to wash away the parts of our lives that are hindering us.
Just as the flood washed away years of debris and prepared our valley for the most glorious wildflower season in years, the floods in our lives will bear fruit if we let God shape us in the process.
Do you feel like you might be swept away by a flood of adversity in your life?
Here are three promises to hold onto.
3 Promises for When You Pass Through the Waters of Hardship:
1. When you pass through the waters, God will stay with you.
We find this promise often throughout Scripture. As Isaiah 43:2 reminds us, God goes with his children when we pass through waters of hardship.
Deuteronomy 31:8 reads, “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (NIV). (Join me right here to read about the lie many of us believe in our suffering.)
You might be walking through deep waters today, but don’t lose heart. You don’t walk alone. The Lord goes with you. He holds your hand, and he holds you in his arms when the waters rage around you.
You probably feel tempted to put your hope in getting out of the raging waters. Instead, God invites you to put your hope in his presence with you while you walk through the waters. He will never leave your side.
2. When you face trials of faith, God’s love will never leave you.
No matter what caused the adversity you are facing, Scripture tells us nothing can separate us from God’s love: “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39, NASB).
God’s love never fails. He loves us when the adversity in our lives comes as a result of our poor decisions. He loves us even when we turn away from him. His love is powerful enough to deliver us from fear and carry us through despair.
3. When you pass through the waters, God can handle the flood.
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “God will never give you more than you can handle.”
This statement sounds comforting, but it does line up with Scripture. God often puts us in situations we cannot handle because these situations are the perfect setting for him to make his power perfectly known.
Second Corinthians 12:9 reads: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”
This flood might feel like more than you can handle. God is gently reminding you that it is not too much for him.
This flood might feel like more than you can handle. God is gently reminding you that it is not too much for him. #JesusSaves #TrustingGod #GodsPromises #Trials Share on X
A Free Devotional Book to Help You Trust God in the Trials of Faith:
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