Do not be surprised when you find yourself in a fiery trial. God has a perfect reason and purpose for each one. It is not that the Lord likes to allow hard and difficult situations in your life, but He is testing and increasing your faith to prove to you and those around you what you are made of. God allows tests, trials, and afflictions in the life of the believers of Jesus Christ to mold and shape you into the person He needs you to be, the one He always intended you to be, to work for Him and the glory of God.
God uses afflictions to root out some deep-seated bad habits, sinful behaviors and turn you away from the wrong direction you have been walking in. Also, it could be that you have been unwilling to step out of your comfort zone into what God has created you to be. Therefore, it takes hardship and stress to kick you into gear, to push you to do what is according to His will instead of yours.
If you didn’t know, the devil and the world do not like the truth, the Word of God, and the ways of the Lord. But they hate it with an unrighteous passion. The world and the devil want to keep you trapped, bound, and deceived, they desire you to continue in pain and a downward spiral that ends up in Hell, keeping you away from the purpose and plan of God.
For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11
But the Lord wants you to be free, strong, bold, and walking in His power and authority. He wants you to turn to Jesus, His son, who died for your soul and sins. He desires you to be born again into His Spirit, be healed and restored to work for His Kingdom.
The LORD said, “Have I not set you free for their good? Have I not pleaded for you before the enemy in the time of trouble and in the time of distress? Jeremiah 15:11
God will ultimately bless you for your faithful endurance to walk through the trials He allowed in your life. Always remember God is faithful to those who are faithful to Him. He has promised never to leave or forsake you, and He never lies. You will make it through this test and fiery affliction too.
So turn to Jesus; He is waiting for you to repent of your sins, and any trial and affliction that comes against you is for your good. Remember, nothing good comes easy or without pain. If you are following Jesus and you are struggling through troubles, this is a good sign that the Lord is at work in your life. You are not a lost cause, but He loves you enough to discipline and correct you, to turn all of these things the devil intended to harm you into a benefit.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God, and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. 1 Peter 4:12-19
The Soul Sower 