Overcoming Trials and Tests

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trials which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” – 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NKJV)

Are you currently facing insurmountable trials and tests? Are you tempted to give up? Do you know how to persevere through them?

There was a time in my life when I faced unbearable trials: uncertainty, spiritual doubts, anxiety, marital, and financial pressures. It lasted so long that I thought it would never be over; it became a constant companion. I thought I just had to learn to deal with it and accept the reality that this may become permanent. However, amid everything that I was dealing with, I was encouraged by the Word of God, which declares that trials are not permanent and are designed for our good. I was encouraged that there might be a light at the end of the tunnel. Yet, sometimes I struggled to see the good in my trials. This was spiritual warfare. The Devil wanted me to believe that my circumstances were permanent and that I would never get through it. Though my struggle was physical, the real battle was in my mind.

Like me, you may be facing a certain trial, and you’re wondering, “Will this ever be over? I seem to go from one trial to another. What is the point? Why continue? Why hope only to be disappointed? Will any good come out of it? Maybe I will just settle for a less-than-ideal situation and accept the fact that things will never be as I hoped.” This is a lie from the Enemy that is designed to cause you to stop playing on the offense and start playing on the defense, which will rob you of a potential life of joy and fulfillment. Imagine if I had stopped and given up. I would not be where I’m today or doing what I’m doing.

Trials and tests in life and business are designed to perfect and prune us to help us realize God’s ultimate plan for our lives. As an entrepreneur, you will face trials and tests in the form of financial pressures, customer complaints, employee issues, government regulations, pressures from the competition, relationship tensions, and the demands of balancing family and business. These trials have some benefits. The benefits of trials are:

• They test our resolve and our true motivation
• They strengthen our faith
• They perfect our character
• They make us wise
• They allow us to take on the likeness of Christ
• They cause us to appreciate the good times
• They cause us to rely on God and not on ourselves.

Three things that cause trials are:

1. The Devil – He wants to use trials to steal our joy, kill our peace, and destroy our purpose (John 10:10)
2. Ourselves – Sometimes trials are caused by the bad choices we make due to lack of knowledge or selfish motives (James 1:13-15)
3. God – Sometimes God allows us to go through trials because He is chastising us or trying to perfect us in an area (Deuteronomy 8:2)

Do not focus on what caused your trials. Instead, focus on your response. In all trials you can:

• Count it all joy
• Give thanks to God
• Remain in prayer

So when will your trials be over? I don’t know. But I can tell you this, every person whom God has used has endured great trials. And in the end, a great triumph awaited them. You are no different. God knows what you are going through. God sees your circumstances, hears your prayers, and He’s got your back. He will not let you endure more than you can handle and when He does, He will always give you a way of escape.

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)

There are times when you may just pray, asking God to show you the way of escape because it is unbearable, and that is okay. I saw a movie a while ago called The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, where a young entrepreneur has the vision to build a grand resort for the elderly but faced many challenges in the process. I love one of the lines he often uses. Whenever he faced trials, and people attempted to get him to quit or face the reality of his problems, he would always say, “Don’t worry, everything will be alright in the end. If it is not alright, it is not the end.” That is the Gospel, my friend, because we know Jesus promised that everything will be alright in the end, even if that end is when we unite with Him in glory. Whatever you are facing now, know that “Everything will be alright in the end. If it is not alright, it is not the end.”

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” – Romans 8:28-30 (NKJV)

My prayer for you today is for God to grant you the wisdom to accept that everything will be alright and give you the grace to persevere until the end.