How is it possible to still have joy or find joy while you’re in the middle of a trial?
Trials of Persecution-*1 Peter 2:19 “For this is thank worthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.”
*1 Peter 3:14 " But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;"
*1 Peter 3:17 "For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing."
*1 Peter 4:16 "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf."
*1 Peter 4:14 "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."
*Matthew 5:10-12 " 10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." That’s how you find joy during trials of persecution. You are being persecuted just like the prophets of old, the disciples of Christ, and Jesus Himself. So you are in great company."
*Romans 8:18 "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
*Romans 8:28 "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."
*2 Corinthians 4:17 "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;"
*James 1:2-4 " 2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."
*1 Peter 4:12-13 " 12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13But 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."
*Romans 5:3-5 " 3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
*Hebrews 12:2-4 " 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin."
That takes our eyes off ourselves and puts them onto Jesus Christ.
*2 Corinthians 1:9-11 " 9But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 10Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
11Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf."
We know God wants us to fully rely on Him. If we’re not, He may bring us into the path of suffering to rid us of our pride and self-sufficiency and make us return to Him.
- Conclusion hope this has helped you see why God allows suffering. He is working in us to perfect us and refine us, much like gold is refined in the fire. The fire removes the impurities and brings out the best in the gold. That’s the idea behind suffering. If we recognize that, we can truly find joy in any trial.