It’s easy to assume that once you answer the call of God or step into obedience, all your challenges will disappear. Like Job, you might expect to be exempt from trials, tests, or hardships.
But in reality, answering the call often invites certain trials, not to break you, but to refine you. You cannot enroll in God’s school and not expect to be tested. Think of it as an examination: how can you be certified as truly understanding what you’ve been taught if you’re never tested in the very things you’ve prepared for?
Consider a man praying for patience. He might hope for an instant transformation, but more often than not, the answer comes through circumstances that require him to exercise patience. The seed of patience is already within him, but it is only through repeated use that it matures.
Time after time, situation after situation, he will be tested, until, like a diamond emerging from the rough, he comes forth refined and strengthened.
Obedience does not mean that trials will not come. As you walk in God’s will, you will still face challenges, but He will be with you, and being in His will brings comfort. The Bible says that Job was a just man of integrity, yet he faced trials. Trials come to test your faith, the very substance you are made of. If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small (Proverbs 24:10).
However, here’s the best part, after the trial, Job was better off than he was before. The Bible says that his latter days were greater than his former days. The same is true for the temple built after the people returned from exile. God declared that the future glory of the temple would be greater than its past glory (Haggai 2:9). Take comfort knowing that you won’t be tested beyond what you can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13).
God has not promised us an easy life. Jesus said that anyone who leaves father, mother, or sister to follow Him will gain much more in this life, but also face persecution. We tend to focus on the blessings and forget that persecution may accompany standing up for righteousness and truth. But all these trials of our faith ultimately work together for our good, refining, strengthening, and shaping us into vessels fit for God’s use (Zechariah 4:10, Proverbs 24:10, James 1:2-4, 1 Corinthians 10:13). Job’s trials proved his faith (Job 1:8-22, Job 42:12-17).
When it seems there is no reward for your labor, continue serving. I assure you that God is faithful and The glory of obedience surpasses temporary suffering (Haggai 2:9, Hebrews 4:15-16, 2 Corinthians 2:14, 1:3-4).
So, don’t view trouble, tests, or trials as an attempt to destroy you. Instead, see them as opportunities to exercise joy, develop endurance, and grow. In developing endurance, you will be able to stand perfect and complete (James 1:2-4).
When it seems overwhelming, don’t forget to come boldly to God’s throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in your time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16). Know for certain that God always causes us to triumph (2 Corinthians 2:14). And finally, know that when you go through hard times and emerge victorious, you will be able to help others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
