“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4
In this verse the Apostle Paul used the word “alway” which would indicate that we are to rejoice “at all times.” Not only in the good times are we to rejoice, but also in times of temptation, trials, and problems. Paul goes on further to encourage us to “be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6), and in another letter he states, “in every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18. The word “careful” can also be translated as “anxious” here.
How can we respond when someone says that a just God would protect all His people from all trouble at all times, which would imply that if we go through trials, God is not being just?
In this life, everyone has problems. Some problems are so great that it makes it difficult for a person to smile. However, we read from the Spirit of Prophecy that, “All trials, all afflictions, all peace, all safety, health, hope, life, and success are in God’s hands, and He can control them all for the good of His children. It is our privilege to be suppliants, to ask anything and everything of God, submitting our request in submission to His wise purposes and infinite will.” –Our High Calling, p. 318
Many Christians hold the incorrect view that because they have accepted Jesus, and because He loves them, therefore, He will use His mighty power to preserve them from pain and trial. One of the biggest questions is “does God care?” and “Why do good people or Christians suffer? Why does a loving God allow suffering and severe trials?” The Bible reveals to us that because He loves us, He will often permit us to pass through fires of affliction to purify us,. He sees that this is the only way to prepare us to be with Him in heaven.
There are many scriptures that tell us that being a Christian does not free us from the cares and problems of this life. For example, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.” Psalm 34:19. We have the assurance that the Lord will deliver the righteous from their afflictions. “We need not expect all sunshine in this world. Clouds and storms will cluster about us, and we must be prepared to keep our eyes directed where we saw the light last. Its rays may be hidden but they still live, still shine beyond the cloud. It is our work to wait, to watch, to pray, and to believe. We shall prize the light of the sun more highly after the clouds disappear. We shall see the salvation of God if we trust in God in the darkness as well as in the light.” –Our High Calling, p. 318. Life experiences have proven this to be true.
Sickness, loss of a job, death, disappointment, hardship, privations, are a part of life. Many of these problems are inevitable. However, as people of God, our countenance is very important, because many people have known us, or have heard us preach the good news of our Lord Jesus. Unbelievers are watching to see if what we preach about our Saviour is truly reflected in our life. Thus, a sad countenance causes unbelievers to doubt our faith in what we preach.
“God cannot be glorified by His children living continually under a cloud and casting a shadow wherever they go. The Christian should cast sunshine instead of a shadow. The unbeliever often receives the impression that religion is a gloomy thing, and that the life of the Christian has nothing inviting in it. If the Christian dwells too much upon the rough pathway, he makes it harder than it really is. If he dwells upon the bright spots in the way, and is grateful for every ray of light, and then dwells upon the rich reward that lies at the end of the race, instead of gloom, mourning and complaints, he will bear a cheerful countenance.” –The Review and Herald, April 28, 1859
Yes, with the help of the Lord, it is possible to rejoice in times of trial and difficulties. Our God will not ask us to perform the impossible, but the word of God does bid us to, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4
Solution to all problems!
The undeniable truth is that there are indeed many problems we cannot solve by ourselves. “Often our trials are such that they seem almost unbearable, and without help from God they are indeed unbearable. Unless we rely upon Him we shall sink under the burden of responsibilities that bring only sadness and grief. But if we make Christ our dependence, we shall not sink under trial. . . . The Bible places the responsibility of our happiness upon ourselves. We are to look to the light of life.” –My Life Today p. 184
The Holy Scriptures clearly tell us that having a sad countenance, murmuring, and complaining are all caused by a lack of faith and failure to submit completely to the will of God.
If we follow the word of God implicitly, always doing what He has commanded us to do, this alone will help us manage every difficulty. With the help of God, there are problems we can solve by ourselves. We have to thank God who has given us the ability to solve these problems.
Then there are problems we cannot solve by ourselves. In that case, we must hand them over to God who alone can solve those problems as they are beyond our ability. The apostle Peter wrote, “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7. Unfortunately, many try to solve these types of problems by themselves, which often causes them to sin against God. “We try too hard to take care of self ourselves. We are uneasy and greatly lack a firm trust in God. Many worry and work, contrive and plan, fearing they may suffer need. They cannot afford time to pray or to attend religious meetings and, in their care for themselves, leave no chance for God to care for them. And the Lord does not do much for them, for they give Him no opportunity.” Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 196
We think of Joseph in the Bible who did his best to serve God, and he found himself as a slave in a foreign land and then later on in prison. However, it was for the greater good of, not only Joseph, but his family, and for the nation of Egypt. Although Joseph never complained, he may have been led to wonder what the purpose of God was in all of his trials. I am sure when he was made prime minister in Egypt it all became clear to him. If you have been through similar experiences, it is easy to look back later and recognize that the disappointments have really been a part of God’s plan. What about your experience during the trials? Can you have the faith to trust that the hardship you are currently going through is a part of God’s plan? Someday, in the future, every redeemed soul will recognize that God’s leading was the best, even through all the trials. God delights in those who will take Him at His word (as He promised in Romans 8:28) even while the heart is breaking with sorrow: “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” The life of Joseph, His trials, slavery, and imprisonment, may help you to understand the leading of God. The clouds may surround the soul and the purpose cannot be understood, but we must have faith to believe that God is still with us. How was Joseph’s longsuffering, faith and patience rewarded? “Joseph’s faith and integrity were to be tested by fiery trials.” –My Life Today, p. 76
Why must we endure trials?
God has a purpose in every affliction. No trial is without value. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 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.” 1 Peter 4:12–13
“One evening a gentleman who was much depressed because of deep affliction was walking in a garden, where he observed a pomegranate tree nearly cut
through the stem. Greatly wondering, he asked the gardener why the tree was in this condition, and he received an answer that explained to his satisfaction the wounds of his own bleeding heart. ‘Sir,’ said the gardener, ‘this tree used to shoot out so strong that it bore nothing but leaves. I was obliged to cut it in this manner; and when it was almost cut through, it began to bear fruit.’
“Our sorrows do not spring out of the ground. In every affliction God has a purpose to work out for our good. Every blow that destroys an idol, every providence that weakens our hold upon earth and fastens our affections more firmly upon God, is a blessing. . . . We should receive with gratitude whatever will quicken the conscience, elevate the thoughts, and ennoble the life. The fruitless branches are cut off and cast into the fire. Let us be thankful that through painful pruning we may retain a connection with the living Vine; for if we suffer with Christ, we shall also reign with Him. The very trial that taxes our faith the most severely and makes it seem as though God had forsaken us is to lead us more closely to Him, that we may lay all our burdens at the feet of Christ and experience the peace which He will give us in exchange…. God loves and cares for the feeblest of His creatures, and we cannot dishonor Him more than by doubting His love to us. O let us cultivate that living faith that will trust Him in the hour of darkness and trial!” –My Life Today, p. 93
“In Christian experience, the Lord permits trials of various kinds to call men and women to a higher order of living and to a more sanctified service. Without these trials there would be a continual falling away from the likeness of Christ, and men would become imbued with a spirit of scientific, fanciful, human philosophy, which would lead them to unite with Satan’s followers. In the providence of God, every good and great enterprise is subjected to trials, to test the purity and the strength of the principles of those who are standing in positions of responsibility, and to mold and substantiate the individual human character after God’s model. This is the highest order of education.” –Selected Messages, book 2, p. 160–161
“The purification of God’s people cannot be accomplished without suffering. . . . He passes us from one fire to another, testing our true worth. True grace is willing to be tried. . . . God would have His servants become acquainted with their own hearts. In order to bring to them a true knowledge of their condition, He permits the fire of affliction to assail them, so that they may be purified. The trials of life are God’s workmen to remove the impurities, infirmities, and roughness from our characters, and fit them for the society of pure, heavenly angels in glory…. The fire will not consume us, but only remove the dross, and we shall come forth seven times purified, bearing the impress of the Divine.” –My Life Today, p. 92
When we pray for God to eradicate sin from our life, we must be ready to accept His ordained method of accomplishing that work. More Christians have lost their faith over this issue than any other.
God gives power to bear every trial
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
“Christ will never abandon the soul for whom He has died. The soul may leave Him and be overwhelmed with temptation; but Christ can never turn from one for whom He has paid the ransom of His own life. Could our spiritual vision be quickened, we should see souls bowed under oppression and burdened with grief, pressed as a cart beneath sheaves and ready to die in discouragement. We should see angels flying swiftly to aid these tempted ones, who are standing as on the brink of a precipice. The angels from heaven force back the hosts of evil that encompass these souls, and guide them to plant their feet on the sure foundation. . . .
“To us, as to Peter, the word is spoken, ‘Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.’ Thank God, we are not left alone. [Therefore] let us stand the test manfully, grasping the hand of Infinite Power. God will work for us. We have only to live one day at a time, and if we get acquainted with God, He will give us strength for what is coming tomorrow, grace sufficient for each day, and every day will find its own victories, just as it finds its trials. We shall have the power of the Highest with us, for we shall be clad with the armor of Christ’s righteousness. We have the same God that has worked for His people in ages past. Jesus stands by our side, and shall we falter? —No, as the trials come, the power of God will come with them. God will help us to stand in faith on His Word, and when we are united, He will work with special power in our behalf.” –My Life Today, p. 94
Jesus our pattern
Jesus spent His life in loving service, comforting the sorrowing, ministering to the needy, and lifting up the heavy laden. He had no home in this world, but relied on the kindness of His friends who provided shelter for Him as He journeyed from place to place. Yet it was heaven to be in His presence. Day by day He met trials and temptations, yet He did not fail or become discouraged. He was always patient and cheerful, and the afflicted hailed Him as a messenger of life and peace and health.
Enduring joyfully is a blessing
“Trust Him with all your heart. He will carry you and your burdens. The Lord designs that His people shall be happy, and He opens before us one source of consolation after another, that we may be filled with joy and peace in the midst of our present experience. We are not to wait until we shall get into heaven for brightness and comfort and joy. We are to have them right here in this life. . . . We miss very much because we do not grasp the blessings that may be ours in our afflictions. All our sufferings and sorrows, all our temptations and trials, all our sadness and griefs, all our persecutions and privations, and in short all things, work together for our good. . . . All experiences and circumstances are God’s workmen whereby good is brought to us. Let us look at the light behind the cloud. Our happiness comes not from what is around us, but from what is within us; not from what we have, but from what we are.” –Ibid., p. 185
Many professed believers misrepresent the true faith when they worry about one problem or another. Some, through murmuring and having a sad countenance, are showing unbelievers that things are not going well with them. As people of God, if we carefully study the Word of God, we shall discover that problems or difficulties do not have to make us unhappy.
“Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” James 1:2–3. We must believe that there are blessings associated with trials and suffering even if we do not understand them at the time. James here mentions that trials and temptations develop patience which is a vital character trait that the redeemed believers must possess. In Revelation the saints are described by John like this, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). Yes, patience is a requirement for those who are redeemed out of this world, and as James stated, patience is developed by tests and trials. Therefore suffering may indeed be a necessary molding process in our preparation for heaven. David, who also suffered much, came to this beautiful understanding, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes.” Psalm 119:71. Again, he wrote, “Before I was afflicted I went astray.” Psalm 119:67
Christians should not misunderstand the source of afflictions. Sin is the cause of all suffering in the world today. God is often blamed for doing the devil’s work. Not one cancer has ever been caused by God. In the experience of Job we have a perfect picture of Satan’s evil program to afflict God’s faithful children. In His permissive will, He allowed Job to be tested by the great adversary, and the triumphant conclusion of the story reveals why God permitted things to go as far as they did. Job emerged from the devastating trials with a stronger faith and greater prosperity than he had before.
There may be many reasons that God allows Satan limited access to His followers, but one of the most important reasons is to keep Christians constantly on guard against sin. “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.” Romans 8:28
Christians may try to look for the reason when trials appear. Sometimes the reason may not be known until eternity, however, many times, God will open a new door. If indeed the hardships are necessary to prepare us for entrance into heaven, then they should be looked upon as a part of God’s great election plan for our salvation. May the Lord grant this in our hearts. Amen.