Tribulation is trouble or affliction of any kind. On the other hand, a trial is a test of faith, patience, or stamina through subjection to suffering or exposure to temptation. Broadly said, it can also be any source of vexation or annoyance.
As believers, when we experience times of trials and tribulations the first question we ask is “why am I going through this?”
Someone once asked why bad things happen to good people. When we give our lives to Christ sometimes there is this notion that we are entering into this good life that has no problems. As we continue on in our salvation, we realize that we are also faced with the same challenges and problems that all humanity goes through. Christ’s redemption through the cross did not mean that we will not suffer, but it equips us to face suffering.
We would like to look at some of the reasons why a loving God would allow us to go through trials and tribulations.
1. We Live in a Fallen World
From the time that Adam and Eve sinned, our relationship with God, one another, and creation were broken. In this life, we may find ourselves going hungry, getting sick, going through grief, and ultimately, even dying. This applies to both the wicked and the righteous as we seen in Job Chapter 1 and 2. Job 1:1 talks of Job being an upright man, who feared God and shunned evil.
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. (Job 1:1)
2. Suffering is Universal
Both the righteous and the wicked go through some form of trials and tribulation or suffering.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of [f]corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now (Romans 8:18-22)
3. Because of Sin
God may allow some tribulation as a punishment for sin as we see in scripture both in the Old and the New Testament. Below are just a few examples that bring out this:
Korah and his family for rising up against Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16:1-38)
Achan and his family because he took the accursed thing (Joshua 7:1-26)
Ananias and Sapphira for lying to the Holy Spirit (
Acts 5:1-11; 12:20-25)Your own wickedness will correct you, and your backslidings will rebuke you. Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing, that you have forsaken the Lord your God, and the fear of Me is not in you,” Says the Lord God of hosts. (Jeremiah 2:19)
4. Godly Correction
God as a good and loving father would like us to grow well, so He sometimes uses trials and tribulations or suffering to discipline us for our benefit.
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He or our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed (Hebrews 12:7-13)
5. To Build Our Faith
Trials and tribulations also help to build our faith so we can serve God better. Peter declared,
“In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation” (1 Peter 5:10)
6. To Refine Us
For gold and silver to have the value it has; it is normally taken through a very hot furnace in order to remove impurities from it. Similarly, God will take us through a furnace of affliction in order to remove everything that does not look like Him.
God says: I will bring the one-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; And each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ (Zechariah 13:9).
7. To Make Us Better
Though trials and tribulations are difficult and painful, when God allows them into our lives they produce good virtues in us like patience and maturity.
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:2-4)
8. To Enable us Help others in Similar Situations
It becomes very easy to minister to someone going through what you have already gone through. In this case, they are more receptive to you because they know that you can relate to what they are going through.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
9. To Help us Know God’s Word
As we go through trials and tribulations most times we will seek for answers and solutions in God’s word, and in the process, we are able to know more of His word.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes (Psalms 119:71)
10. To Make us Humble
It is very easy when all is going well for us to be lifted in pride, but God comes to our rescue through trials and tribulations.
Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honor is humility. (Proverbs 18:12)
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. (2 Corinthians 12:7)
Want to know God? Contact us today at Westside Bible Chapel through our website contact form or Facebook Page.
The central theme of the Bible is God’s loving plan to rescue mankind. The most important relationship that a believer can have in this life is with God. As we read the Bible, we are able to understand what God is like – His thoughts, His plans and His promises to us.
This is Part 2 of ‘Life Changing Benefits of God’s Word for Believers’. Read on!
If you haven’t read (Part 1) yet, please find it under the resources tab on our blog section.
6. The Word Makes us Strong on the Inside
The word of God builds us on the inside so that no matter what comes against us we still stand strong.
Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock (Matthew 7:24-25)
7. The Word of God is like a Sword
Just like a sword helps us fight an enemy, the Word of God is a Spiritual Sword that helps us fight and defeat Satan. Jesus defeated the enemy when he came to tempt Him in the wilderness by using the Word of God (See Matthew 4:1-11).
Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand… and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God… (Ephesians 6:13)
8. The Word of God is Life and Produces Life
Hebrews 4:12 speaks of the Word of God as living and active. Jesus also referred to Himself as “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6). This helps us understand that the Word of God is alive and we can use it to create or speak life in seemingly dead life circumstances.
By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible (Hebrews 11:3)
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life (John 6:63)
For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh (Proverbs 4:22)
9. The Word of God Gives us Victory over Sin
The Word of God makes us mindful of sin and helps us keep away from sin.
How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You (Psalms 119:9, 11)
10. The Word is Seed that Helps us Bear Fruits
In Luke Chapter 4, Jesus told His disciples in the parable of the sower that the seed is the word of God. God’s desire for each of us is that we would be fruitful in every aspect of our lives. The Word of God helps us become fruitful in our walk with Christ.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper (Psalms 1:2-3).
Learn more about the power of God's Word. Contact us today at Westside Bible Chapel through our website contact form or Facebook Page.
What we commonly refer to as the Bible is actually the Word of God. While it was written by many different people, God is the author (2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Word of God offers a lot of benefits. For instance, it is in the Word of God that we find the answers to life’s greatest questions:
- Who am I?
- Where did I come from?
- Why am I here?
- Where will I do?
The central theme of the Bible is God’s loving plan to rescue mankind. The most important relationship that a believer can have in this life is with God. As we read the Bible, we are able to understand what God is like – His thoughts, His plans, and His promises to us.
Benefits of the Word of God
In this article, we look at benefits of the Word of God that each of us as believers should know. Grab a cup of coffee, let’s dive on this wonderful journey of discovery!
1. The Word of God is the Source of our Salvation
First things first! It is through the Word of God that we are able to receive salvation. The following scriptures say it better.
…. and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:15)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek (Romans 1:16)
… having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever…(1 Peter 1:23)
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls (James 1:21)
2. The Word of God is our Spiritual Food
Not only does the Word of God bring salvation, it is also our spiritual food helping us grow and mature in our relationship with God. Just the same way we need food to survive physically, we also need to read the Word of God to grow after our salvation.
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4)
Apostle Paul told the believers in 1 Peter 2:2 that they were to crave (desire) the pure ‘milk’ of the Word so that they would grow in their salvation.
3. The Word of God is our Light
The word of God brings the difference in dark wicked world just the same way light enters a dark room.
Psalms 119:105 says that the Word is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path.
Also, Jesus referred to Himself as the Light of the World, and promised that whoever follows Him will never walk in darkness (See John 8:12).
Let’s connect the dots. Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1 and 14, Revelation 19:13). And we have seen in the scripture quoted above that Jesus is the Light of the World. Meaning, if you have the Word of God, you have the Light of God to shine in every aspect of your life.
And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts… (2 Peter 1:19)
3. The Word Helps us to Pray According to God’s Will
When we get to know and understand the Word of God, we are able to pray in accordance to the will of God. The will of God is revealed in His Word. This is good news! When we pray according to the will of God, we receive what we ask.
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you (John 15:7).
Also remember the scripture in 1 John 5: 14-15
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
4. The Word of God is the Source of our Faith
Need to build up your faith? Reading and meditating on the Word of God will help you do that!
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17)
5. The Word of God Gives us Spiritual Understanding and Wisdom
The more we hear the Word of God, the more we are enlightened, become wise, and gain spiritual understanding.
The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple (Psalms 119:130)
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple (Psalms 19:7)
Watch out for Part 2 next week!
Do you want to know more of the Word of God? Contact us today at Westside Bible Chapel through our website contact form or Facebook Page.