Why Does God Allow Trials?

First published October 7, 2010. Revised and expanded July 2018 & January 2025.

Pastor Robert Hammond

People often ask why the LORD allows believers to experience injuries, illnesses and other trials.  This short articles answers three related questions:

1. What does the Bible teach about God’s purposes for trials?

2. How should believers respond to trials?

3. What is our proper attitude about trials?

What does the Bible Teach About God’s Purposes for Trials?

1. The Lord Uses Trials to Demonstrate His Comfort. Sometimes, the LORD simply wants us to experience his comfort so that we can be better-equipped to comfort others. Consider this verse that Paul wrote to the church members at Corinth: 

(2 Corinthians 1:3-5)   Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;  4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort  them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.  5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

2. The Lord Uses Trials to Encourage Our Spiritual Growth.

Psalm 66:10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. 11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. 12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

James 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience.

3. Sometimes, the Lord Uses Trials to Correct Us. Often, we see that the LORD allows great trials into our lives  in order to get our attention. In Psalm 119:67, the psalmist wrote, “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.” And Psalm 119:71 states, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes."  How true it is that the LORD can use serious afflictions to correct us!

4. The Lord Uses Trials in Our Life to Reach Others. Of course, in the case of Job, we also see that, sometimes, the trial has nothing at all to do with us!  But the LORD can still use our response to the trial as a testimony to others -- as He did when Paul, Silas and Timothy were imprisoned at Philippi (Acts 16).

5. The Lord Uses Trials to Encourage Humility. In 2 Corinthians 12:7, Paul states, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” There, we see that the Lord permitted Satan to cause Paul to suffer a physical affliction — in order to encourage Paul to remain humble.

How May Believers Endure Trials?

1. Understand that the Lord provides strength to endure trials. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul writes of Christ's response to his prayer for deliverance from a physical trial.  There, Christ asserts, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."

2. Trust that the Lord is sovereign to accomplish his good purposes in trials. Praise God for the knowledge that “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Ro. 8:28)

3. Pray - with the knowledge that the Lord promises peace and deliverance from trials:

   Phil 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

   Psalm 34:17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

4. Find strength in God’s words.

Psalm 119:92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

5. Rely on the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

John 14:16-17: "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever."

6. Stay connected to your church.

Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

What should Our Attitude Be Regarding Trials?

In 2 Corinthians 12:8, Paul states, "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." Both Peter and James also express the Lord's desire that we rejoice in trials -- knowing that He is working in trials to accomplish our growth. In James 1:2, the Lord commands, "... count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." And in 1 Peter 4:12, the Bible states:

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified."

Praise God for the certainty that he is working in our trials. And praise him that believers have the certain hope that trials will end!

A Spiritual Battle Plan

Pastor Hammond 

Do you ever feel like you’re fighting an endless battle?  The Bible is clear that Christians are, in fact,  in a spiritual battle!   In Ephesians 6:12, Paul wrote, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”  The Devil knows that he's already lost us to Christ; he lost that battle.  His only remaining opportunity is to engage us in a spiritual battle in order to harm our walk with the LORD.   How can a believer be prepared for this battle?

Tactic #1:  Choose to Resist the Devil 

Praise God that Christians may know that the LORD has perfect authority over the Satan and his demons.   So, it comes as no surprise that His words offer the key to winning spiritual battles:   In James 4:7, the Bible says, " Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."  We’re promised that, when we  submit ourselves to the Lord and resist the devil, the devil feels from us!  

Tactic #2:  Choose to Find Strength for the Battle in the LORD 

Praise God, that we don't have to fight the battle our own strength.  In Ephesians 6, Pauls tells us that we may find strength for the battle in the Lord, i.e.  we can know His strength, His power and His might to overcome the devil.  See these verses:

Ephesians 6:10 ¶ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 

Tactic #3:  Choose to Put on the “Whole Armour of God”

The LORD gives us His strength for the battle -- and he equips with the armor that protect us for the battle.  In Ephesians 6,  Paul implores us to put on the "whole armour of God" for this battle:

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;  19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.

Our armour includes the truth of God's word (v. 14),  righteousness that we have found in Christ (v. 14), the gospel (v. 15), faith (v. 16),  salvation (v. 17), and the Holy Spirit (v. 17).  Also note the critical importance of the "word of God" (v. 17) and "praying always" (v. 18).  When the enemy attacks, we need to get even more serious about being in the Bible and prayer.  The enemy know that these are powerful weapons.  So, he wants us to be discouraged from reading the Bible and from spending time in prayer.  Don't allow him to discourage you!  Pray and ask the LORD to help you remain faithful to Bible reading and prayer. 

Tactic # 4:  Choose to Separate from the Ungodly Influences of the World

The devil is a crafty adversary who conscripts the world and the people of the world to aid him in battle.   That’s a practical reason why it’s so important for Christians to separate from the influence of worldly friends and other negative influences.  And let's be reminded that the LORD has commanded us to do just that!

2 Corinthians 6:14-18  14 ¶ Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers... 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,  18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Consider your entertainments and your involvements.  And consider your social circle.  Ask the LORD to show you if you need to make changes.  And draw upon His strength to make changes that will be pleasing to Him. 

Tactic #5:  Praise God that we’ve been made “new creatures” who don’t have to be ashamed of past sins

Perhaps none of the devil’s tactics is so effective as encouraging us to focus on memories of past sin.  However, believers may also know that all  of those past sins are 100% forgiven.  You've been made a "new creature in Christ..." (2 Corinthians 5:17).  "... old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."  The Bible says that when we are obedient to the LORD, we do not need to be ashamed.  In Psalm 119:6, the psalmist wrote,  "Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments."  It's those unsaved people who are still living wicked lives who should be ashamed.  And Psalm 31:17 says, "Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed..."  

The Bible also says that you can have a "good conscience" when you're prepared to give the gospel to those "evildoers" around you."

1 Peter 3:14-17  14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye:: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;  15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:  16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.  17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 

So, pray and ask the LORD to use an encounter with someone from the past as an opportunity to share the gospel with that person!  But also be sure to ask the LORD to protect you from any negative influence as you encounter people from the past.

Tactic #6 - Understand that the battle will end!

The prophet Zechariah reminds us that a day is coming when "all the saints" will come with the LORD (Zech. 14:5) to enjoy a time when the "the LORD shall be king over all the earth" (Zech. 14:9).  And shortly thereafter, the Devil will be bound (Rev. 20:2).  Praise God that we may look forward to  such a wonderful future with Christ!

Conclusion

Praise God that he has given us all that we need to prevail in the Spiritual battle that He has permitted for this time.  Let’s re-commit to availing ourselves of all that the LORD has provided!  Let’s recommit to spending time in His word.  And let’s get serious about being people of prayer.  Lastly, let’s ask the LORD for strength to separate from the ungodly influences of this world – and instead, influence those lost people through the Gospel of our savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

First published February 15, 2011.