A friend of mine, Bob Mumford, was once asked by a young minister, “What is the first sign that someone is filled with the Spirit and called to serve in ministry?”
Without hesitation, he said, “TROUBLE!” His response was rooted in scripture. John the Baptist proclaimed about Jesus, “He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and with fire… and will burn up the chaff” (Luke 3:16-17).
The term “baptism of fire” certainly suggests the presence of challenges, hardships, and tests. A renowned “apostle of China” once noted, “The true sign of an apostle is someone who remains standing when everyone else has collapsed under pressure, discouragement, or despair.”
This insight likely stems from Paul’s discussion on spiritual warfare, which reminds us, “…having done all to stand, stand therefore” (Eph 6:13-14). The ability to remain standing while those around us fall requires steadfast endurance, which might be the most crucial trait of an effective leader.
When we delve into the account of “The Heroes of Faith” in Hebrews 11, we are reminded that those who received the greatest praise were those who utilized their faith to patiently endure severe trials and hardships.
The stories of these courageous individuals are nothing short of remarkable: “Others trusted God and were beaten to death, choosing death over renouncing their faith for freedom, confident they would attain a better life afterward. Some were mocked and whipped, others imprisoned.
Some faced death by stoning or were sawed in two; many were promised freedom if they would disavow their faith, only to be killed by the sword. Others suffered from hunger and illness, treated poorly — too good for this world” (Heb 11:35-38 TLB).
The world was unworthy of such remarkable saints. They were truly extraordinary men and women. Wouldn’t you aspire to be like them? This chapter aims to guide you in becoming a “hero of faith” — if you are prepared to embrace the challenges that come with it.
A. WHO TESTS AND TRIES US?
Who is responsible for the tests and trials faced by Christians? Is it God or the devil? Many people tend to attribute any pain or suffering experienced by Christians to the devil.
While he may play a role in our challenges, King David offered a different perspective on the origins of trials, especially for those in leadership preparing for God’s service:
“The Lord testeth the righteous” (Ps 11:5). We can be grateful that, more often than not, our struggles are not directly due to the devil but rather involve God or the consequences of our own actions.
1. Job’s Suffering Permitted By God
We can draw a significant lesson from the trials and tribulations that Job experienced. According to the Bible, the devil received God’s permission to test Job (Job 1).
Interestingly, Job never blamed the devil for his suffering; instead, he acknowledged, “The hand of God has touched me” (Job 19:21). He boldly claimed, “Though God slay me, yet will I trust him” (Job 13:15). Even while under attack from Satan, Job focused on his relationship with God rather than the adversary. He chose not to recognize Satan during his hardships and struggles. It’s reassuring to remember that God is always on our side.
When we surrender ourselves into His care, He remains with us, regardless of our circumstances. “He will keep the temptation [test] from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it” (1 Cor 10:13 TLB). God consistently “works all things together for good, for those who love him and are called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28 RSV).
2. Tests and Promises of Persecution
Peter advises us not to be surprised by the fiery trials we face, as if something unusual were happening to us (1 Pet 4:12). Paul reminds a young church leader that “all who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim 3:12).
Jesus declared, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:10).
I vividly recall the excitement I felt at the age of sixteen when I finally devoted my life to the Lord’s service, imagining that together we would set the world ablaze. However, it wasn’t long before I realized that I was grappling with something far more overwhelming.
It felt terrifying to hold on, yet if I released my grip, the consequences would surely be disastrous. God had placed me on a path of preparation for ministry that inevitably brought about —
CHALLENGES — from which there was no escape. I found myself echoing Paul’s words: “…a prisoner of Jesus Christ” (Eph 3:1).
3. God and Eagles
During the challenges and turmoil I faced, the Lord encouraged me with powerful promises: “…they that wait upon the Lord… shall mount up with wings as eagles…” (Isa 40:31). “As an eagle stirs up her nest, flutters over her young, spreads her wings, takes them, and bears them on her wings: so the Lord alone did lead…” (Deut 32:11).
These verses provided me with strength amidst my difficulties and discouragement. To truly understand the comfort these promises offer, it’s important to know a bit about the mother eagle and her approach to nurturing and training her young.
The eagle constructs her nest in high, rocky cliffs, carefully weaving prickly branches from thorns to create a robust, interlocking structure for her eggs. She lines the nest with soft materials and feathers plucked from her own body, forming a cozy haven for her eaglets.
A Cozy Sanctuary: Once they hatch, the eaglets find themselves in a safe haven high above danger, enveloped in warmth and comfort.
The mother eagle nurtures, watches over, and attends to their every need. This mirrors how God cares for us as “babes in Christ,” introducing us to His grace, love, forgiveness, and plentiful provisions as a kind and compassionate Father.
We revel in the safety of our shelter, learning and savoring the “sincere milk of the word” (1 Pet 2:2).
Discomfort Introduced: However, the time comes in the eaglets’ development when the mother eagle starts to “stir up her nest and flutter over her young.”
She begins by removing the soft feathers and fluffs, using her powerful wings to disperse the cozy bedding. This action exposes the eaglets to prickly thorns and briars.
In their attempts to find comfort, they discover they have little room to maneuver, as multiple eaglets struggle for the same space. Complaints and squawking fill the air as tests and trials begin to unsettle them, having previously known no discomfort. Although the eaglets may not fully grasp what is happening, their mother has a purpose.
She is making the nest uncomfortable to motivate them to leave it and embrace the challenge of flying. Both in spiritual and natural life, there is a principle: “No pain — no gain!” Like those eaglets, we often prefer comfort and ease.
Though the Bible reminds us we are on a journey through a world that is not our home, we cherish our cozy spots and the simple pleasures that come with them. We find joy in the Word and relish the messages we hear, sometimes even enjoying them for their entertainment value. Life feels good and secure, and when God speaks, we may be too wrapped up in our comfort to listen. But then, God decides it’s time for us to grow — and everything changes.
Suddenly, we find ourselves confronted with challenges, pain, and suffering. In our distress, we begin “rebuking the devil,” complaining, and crying out, only to realize that these struggles are part of His plan. When the pain has served its purpose of capturing our attention, and we are ready to be still and listen, God reveals what comes next — teaching us to “mount up with wings as eagles.”
Lessons in Flight: At this stage of training, the mother eagle “takes them and carries them on her wings.” The eaglet, eager to escape the prickly nest, is quick to hop onto her back and secure its talons in her strong feathers.
It’s time for the eaglet’s first flying lesson! With the eaglet firmly clinging to her, the mother eagle leaps from the nest and soars over the valley. For the first time, the eaglet is airborne. As she catches an updraft, they ascend higher and higher until they are thousands of feet above the ground. “This is exhilarating!” thinks the eaglet. “It’s flying time!”
But without warning, the mother eagle performs a sharp diving loop, releasing the eaglet to the wind, prompting it to begin its flight.
Frightened, the eaglet flails its new wings, desperately trying to navigate its fall. Just when it seems all hope is lost, the mother swoops back beneath it, breaking its fall. The eaglet secures its talons once more into her feathers, safe again.
The mother eagle ascends again, repeating the process, and with each fall, the eaglet learns more, eventually mastering the ability to glide and “mount up with wings, as eagles.” What a thrill it is for the eaglet to fly on its own instead of relying on its mother. In the same way, we respond to God’s call to ministry, believing it to be a wonderful opportunity that will elevate us to greater heights. However, God wisely conceals from us the challenges and struggles that will accompany this journey. We often fail to comprehend the personal cost involved.
God allows discomfort in our secular jobs until the pain drives us to fully surrender and seek training in Bible school or seminary. Upon graduation, we venture out with optimism, anticipating immediate success and glory.
Initially, all seems well, but then suddenly, difficulties arise. Conflicts emerge among our peers, and support dwindles from those we once considered friends, who may distance themselves due to our perceived failures.
Does this sound familiar?
What’s really happening?
We are learning to soar. These trials push us to grow in faith and to lean more heavily on the Holy Spirit. We are learning to rise above adversities. We discover what Paul meant when he said, “…having done all, to stand therefore.” In the midst of chaos, we learn to stand firm on our Rock, Jesus Christ.
B. WHY DOES GOD TEST AND TRY US?
1. Pressure Leads to Growth
“Thou hast enlarged me when I was under pressure” (Psalm 4:1 RSV). This psalm was penned by David following one of the gravest errors of his life—his adulterous and murderous relationship with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11).
In response to his transgressions, the Lord imposed severe consequences on David. One of these was at the hands of his son Absalom, who took the throne and forced David into exile. Fleeing for his life and enduring great humiliation resulted in David’s “enlargement.” Although his troubles stemmed from his own actions,
God graciously transformed these moments of judgment into opportunities for David’s growth, preparing him for the challenges ahead. When we acknowledge our shortcomings and truly repent (renouncing our sins and turning away from them), God can use the subsequent chastisement and suffering to mold us into better leaders.
2. Trials Test and Humble Us
God desires to reveal whether we serve Him out of love or simply for the blessings we receive. Jesus observed that some followed Him merely for the “loaves and fishes”—the benefits they could gain rather than from genuine affection.
Moses recounted God’s guidance of the Israelites out of Egypt: “Who led them through that great and terrible wilderness, where there were fiery serpents, scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; Who brought forth water out of the rock of flint;
Who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your ancestors did not know, that He might humble you and test you, to do you good at your latter end” (Deuteronomy 8:15-16). Why does God permit such intense trials?
“To do you good at your latter end.” When God intends to grow and bless a minister or church, He often leads them into deep discouragement and seemingly hopeless circumstances. He does this “… so that you may not say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands made me this wealth'” (Deuteronomy 8:17).
Pride can often accompany blessings, making us believe our achievements are solely due to our abilities. To protect us from this pride, God sometimes allows us to face difficult times before we experience significant growth and favor.
This was evident in Job’s story. Satan told God, “Job only serves You because You have filled his life with material blessings. Remove those, and he will denounce You.” In response, God permitted Satan to strip Job of all he possessed. After losing his livestock, children, and wealth, how did Job react? He “fell down upon the ground and worshipped” (Job 1:20).
Job demonstrated that Satan’s accusations were unfounded; his love for God remained steadfast even in immense loss. Job proclaimed, “Though God slay me, yet I will trust Him” (Job 13:15). Ultimately, God restored Job, giving him double what he had lost (Job 42:10).
Job received this double portion because he proved to be a loyal servant of God during his darkest trials. “For examples of patience in suffering, look at the Lord’s prophets… Job is an example of a man who continued to trust the Lord in sorrow; from his experiences,
we can see how the Lord’s plan ultimately culminated in good, as He is full of tenderness and mercy” (James 5:10-11 TLB).
3. Suffering Can Increase God’s Power In Us
If you ask for God’s power in your life, you must understand what is required to have it. David said, “He weakened my strength in the way” (Ps 102:23). When you ask for God’s power He responds, “Do you really mean it? If you are willing to be reduced to weakness (total dependence on the Lord), and take the suffering, tests and trials that go with it, I’ll give you My power.”
a. Paul’s Experience. “I am going to boast only about how weak I am and how great God is to use such weakness for his glory…. The experiences I had [of being taken up to Heaven] were so tremendous, God was afraid I might be puffed up [full of pride] by them; so I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan to hurt and bother me, and prick my pride.
“Three times I begged God to take it away. Each time he said, ‘No. My grace
[enablement] is adequate for you. My power [strength] shows up best in weak people.’“… Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite happy about ‘the thorn,’ and about insults and hardships, persecutions and difficulties; for when I am weak, then.I
am strong — the less I have, the more I depend on him” (2Gor 12:5,7-10 tib).
Paul teaches us several important lessons about tests and trials in the life of a leader. Among them are:
1) Beware Of Pride . Valid spiritual experiences during times of prayer can cause us to be prideful.
2) Depend On God. Our discomfort is less important to God than our character.
If our pride needs to be pricked, God will send along a messenger of Satan to make us weak, so we will depend on Him.
3) Rejoice In Trials. Only through humility and weakness can God’s power be manifest in our lives. Hence, we can rejoice in tribulation, hardships and persecution, because we know it can result in God’s power and glory being revealed in us.
When we start seeking for the power, the glory and the life of the Spirit to be expressed through us, God’s response to our petition does not come in the way we expect.
We pray for patience, and He sends tribulation. Why? Because “tribulation develops patience ” (Rom 5:3).
He is answering our prayer, but not the way we thought He would. We must recognize that the buffeting may be “God… working in us to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Phil 2:l3).
4. Affliction Separates The Chosen From The Called
“I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction” (Isa 48:10). In this verse, the word “chosen” is used in the sense of being “graded,” as in a school course examination or test.
When we do our lessons and take our tests in school, we are “graded” by the teacher on how well we have performed. If we receive a passing grade, we graduate to the next level or grade, one that is more difficult and challenging.
How does God determine whether to give me a passing grade? He tests my performance in the furnace of affliction. My response to trials and frustrations is graded.
God observes how I react to heavy pressure and difficult situations. If I respond appropriately He says, “Well done, My good and faithful servant. Now you are ready to pass on to the next course, the next level of difficulty.”
I do not mean to suggest that working for the Lord is constant tribulation and work without rest, respite or reward. Through God’s grace, great blessings come to those who give their lives for His service. But, as we learn and grow. He presents us with ever harder tasks and continues to test, to grade, to choose.
“Many are called but few are chosen” (Matt 20:16). Why are few chosen?
Because we are graded in the furnace of affliction, and few of us pass the test for leadership.
There is a powerful statement in the Book of Revelation concerning those the Lord Jesus allows to go forth in conquest with Him. “These shall make war with… the Lord of lords and the King of kings and they that are with him are called, and chosen,
and faithful ” (Rev 17:14).
Three requirements were essential. You had first to be called, then chosen, and to have proved yourself faithful. Sufferings, trials and tribulations mark the path of those in this company. They’ve proven themselves worthy to be chosen and have stood faithful to the Lord, even if it meant hazarding their lives for Him.
5. Suffering Teaches Obedience
“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered”
(Heb 5:8).
“Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth…. If ye be without chastisement… then are ye bastards, and not sons” (Heb 12:6,8).
“For remember, when your body suffers, sin loses its power, and you won’t be spending the rest of your life chasing after evil desires, but will be anxious to do the will of God.
‘ ‘Don’t let me hear of your suffering for murdering or stealing or making trouble or being a busybody and prying into other people’s affairs.
“So if you are suffering according to God’s will, keep on doing what is right and trust yourself to the God who made you, for he will never fail you” (l Pet 4:l,2,15,19tlb).
I’ve often wished there were a way to gain without pain; a way to learn without suffering and chastisement — but there isn’t.
We would prefer to enjoy an effective ministry without the suffering which makes it possible. If God used painful suffering to perfect Jesus, how much more will He use trouble in our lives?
Let us then joyfully embrace the Lord’s discipline. For by this we know we are sons and not bastards.
[Note: Paul is applying this in a spiritual sense. Under the law, bastards had no right to priestly or kingly ministry (Deut 23:2). New Testament rules of grace decree children born out of wedlock are treated the same as anyone else.]6. Trials Produce Perseverance And Maturity
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must
finish its work so that you may be mature… not lacking anything ” (Jas 1:2-4).
Many leaders seem to become “escape artists” when obedience to God’s will requires suffering or trials. James teaches us that rather than try to escape the fiery ordeals that come, we should joyfully embrace them.
Notice, “…perseverance must finish its work so you may be mature. ” This means we cannot speed up me process. Fiery ordeals do not produce instant results. When a fiery trial comes we must not only embrace it, we must endure and persevere in it.
a. The Cocoon And The Butterfly. A man once found a cocoon which had dropped from a tree. The butterfly was beginning to emerge, so he stopped to watch. It struggled for about forty-five minutes. In that time only the head and part of one wing emerged free of the cocoon.
Thinking he would help the struggling butterfly accelerate the process, he took his razor-sharp pen knife and cut the cocoon open to release the emerging larvae. To his surprise, he found only the part which had emerged through great effort and struggle was developed. The part he had cut free was still undeveloped and not ready to be exposed to the elements outside the cocoon.
Instead of helping the larvae become a butterfly, he had aborted the process. The half-developed butterfly soon died.
We church leaders are guilty of the same thing. We see brethren wrestling with difficulty. We feel sorry for them and try to help them out, only to discover that they fall back into the same problem again a short while later. Were we to let them suffer awhile, and learn the lesson God is trying to teach them — it would be better for them and the Church.
b. Three Causes Of Trials. Any ill-timed or misdirected effort made in such circumstances will bring about a miscarriage of God’s dealings. When people come
crying to us in the midst of an ordeal, let us pray for great wisdom to discern whether this is:
1) dealings of God,
2) self-induced trouble they have brought on themselves, or 3) attacks of Satan not within God’s will.
c. Response To Trials
1) If It Is God’s Dealings: Submit. If it is God’s dealings, help them to
“Submit themselves] to God” (Jas 4:7) and draw on His grace to go through the trial victoriously.
2) If It Is Self-Induced: Learn. If it is S.I.T. (Self-Induced Trouble), try to help them learn from the problems they’ve brought on themselves.
3) If It Is An Attack Of Satan: Fight. If it is satanic attack beyond God’s will, then go to battle for them and resist the devil. “He will flee from you”‘ (Jas 4:7).
7. Trouble Tests Our Faith In God’s Word
“Every word of God is purified… ” (Prov 30:5 lit). “The words of the Lord are pure [purified] words, as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times” (Ps 12:6).
Compare these verses with Psalm 105:19, ” Until the time that his [Joseph’s] word came, the word of the Lord tried him.”
Joseph spent somewhere between ten and twelve years in an Egyptian prison for refusing Potiphar’s wife the adulterous relationship she sought. She falsely accused him of trying to rape her. For this, Joseph spent many years suffering for righteous ness’ sake.
God had promised to make him a ruler. What do you think ten or twelve years in prison would do to a leader who had a promise like that? I know what it would do to me.
It would frustrate and distress me beyond belief. Yet, God allowed Joseph’s situation.
Why? So the word of the Lord to him could be “tested like silver, tried in a furnace…
purified seven times” (Ps 12:6).
Every great man of God endured a fiery trial as a result of hearing instructions from God. The process of trying to implement what God said became very costly for them.
a. Noah was told to build an ark. It resulted in the people scoffing and mocking him. Only his family and some of the animals were saved.
b. Abram was promised, “…thou shall be a father of many nations and given the name of Abraham which means ‘EXALTED FATHER'” (Gen 17:4,5). Can you imagine how the neighbors must have laughed at Abraham? “How many children do you have,
‘exalted father’?” they would ask in derision. Abraham would have to drop his head in silence. He had none. “We hear you think you are going to be the father of many nations,
‘exalted father.’ You are ninety-nine years old. When is it going to happen?” they would chide. Abraham had no answer. He was bearing the reproaches that fall on everyone that has a “word from the Lord.” Believe me! Every word of God is tried (tested).
c. Moses knew he was to deliver his people from Egypt’s slavery. When he tried, even his own Israeli brothers turned on him and he was driven into the desert for forty years.
What do you think went through Moses’ mind all those years? I wonder if thoughts like this didn’t torture his meditations. “God, in an attempt to obey You, I gave up the claim to Pharaoh’s throne. I could, at the least, have been prime minister of Egypt.
But instead, I tried following Your call — and now as a vagabond and outlaw I am wandering in this desert, tending a few of my father-in-law’s sheep. God! What are You doing to me?”
Can you imagine what forty years of embracing a vision, that to all appearances would never be fulfilled, would do to the man?
We know his self-confidence had been so shattered, he stammered and stuttered when he talked. He had to have his brother Aaron do his talking for him. This could only have been the result of intense inward emotional conflict and agony.
Had we time and space, we could look at David, Nehemiah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Paul and many others. All of them had “the word of the Lord” given them. Then their faith in that word was put to severe tests by adversity, misunderstanding and great trials of affliction.
There is no other path to leadership, my friend. “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him” (2Tim2:12).
Paul said, “It is because I have I reached these great truths that I am in trouble here and have been put in jail like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained, even though I am. I am more than willing to suffer if that will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.
“I am comforted by this truth, that when we suffer and die for Christ it only means that we will begin living with him in heaven. And if we think that our present service for him is hard, just remember that some day we are going to sit with him and rule with him.
” But if we give up when we suffer, and turn against Christ, then he must turn against us. Even when we are too weak to have any faith left, he remains faithful to us
and will help us, for he cannot disown us who are part of himself, and he will always
carry out his promises to us” (2Tim2:9-13tlb).
C. MAINTAIN A RIGHT ATTITUDE
Maintaining a positive attitude in the midst of great suffering is the key to the triumphant Christian life. “Now thanks be unto God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ” (2Cor 2:14).
1. Recognize God’s Hand In Every Trial
Paul was not merely sharing theoretical ideas; he spoke from personal experience. Recall how he cast out a demon from a girl in Philippi, an act that incited a mob against him and Silas.
As a result, the judges had them stripped and beaten with wooden rods, the blows coming down mercilessly on their exposed backs. Eventually, they were imprisoned, and to ensure their escape was impossible, the jailer locked them in the innermost dungeon and secured their feet in stocks.
Around midnight, despite their dire circumstances, Paul and Silas were found praying and singing hymns to the Lord, with other prisoners listening in (Acts 16:22-25 TLB).
The Lord, ever faithful to His promises, enveloped them with “…songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7). This act of worship led to an earthquake that not only freed Paul and Silas but also released all the other inmates.
The jailer, moved by these events, became a believer and invited Paul and Silas into his home, eventually fostering a vibrant church in Philippi.
The grace that allowed Paul and Silas to pray and sing in such trying circumstances was miraculous. However, we too can experience this same grace if we choose to walk in the Spirit and refrain from complaining against God or anyone else during our own trials.
It’s essential to recognize God’s presence in every challenge we face.
2. Don’t Murmur Against God
The way you respond to the challenges you face will shape whether you become resentful or grow positively. God desires for you to understand,
“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal 2:20). By embracing a “Christ-like response” to difficulties and acknowledging,
“I see Your hand at work in this, Lord; thank You for shaping and teaching me,” you will also be granted unique grace from the Lord that will lead you to victory.
Paul recounted five sins which caused Israel’s failure in the wilderness. Here is the fifth: “And don’t murmur against God and his dealings with you, as some of them did, for that is why God sent his Angel to destroy them” (I Cor 10:10tlb).
3. See Troubles As Working For You
When reflecting on the numerous hardships he endured for Christ, Paul remarked, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Paul viewed his sufferings as beneficial, serving a purpose in accomplishing God’s will and bringing about “God’s richest blessing on us forever” (TLB). If you find yourself weary and tried by various tribulations, remember:
“The troubles will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever” (2 Corinthians 4:18 TLB). God holds a deep love for you, and your reward in Heaven will be great if you persevere until the end. An elderly missionary, isolated on the island of Maui, once expressed:
- He’s the Lord of the seas, the Lord of the land,
- The winds are His to command.
- He brings down the rain, He pours down the hail,
- He controls the force of the gale.
While some lament the frightening pace of life’s storms as they navigate their troubled journey, remember: rather than fighting against the wind, consider it a friend, for such an attitude brings more grace to your life.
It’s the direction of the sail, not the strength of the gale, that ensures a safe passage home. We can reach our desired haven with minimal struggle if we allow the storms to serve us.
So carry on, weary sailor; your master is waiting to welcome you to Heaven’s beautiful land. Keep your focus on the source and don’t be troubled by the elements, as they prepare you for His guidance. Indeed, life’s tumultuous winds can be tamed through the right mindset.
Just as the wind fills a sail, the challenges we face foster growth and maturity, equipping us for leadership on earth and guiding us to our eternal home in Heaven.
D. SUMMARY
In summary, we have learned several important principles:
1. Maturity And Training
Trials and tribulations can be the merciful hand of God seeking to mature, mold and train us.
2. God Works Through Us
God works most powerfully through us when we’re being proven by times of trials, tests and tribulations.
3. Pass Or Fail The Test
In the fires of affliction some will fail and others will pass the test and be promoted. Those who pass the test are chosen to hear those comforting words, “You’ve been faithful over little; I’II make you ruler over much.”
