“In this world, you will have trouble,” Jesus speaks this to his closest disciples in John 16, the men who had been with him through all the good and bad of his ministry on earth. The night before his death, he declares the trouble they will encounter.
For many Christians, entering difficult times shakes our faith. We question God, his goodness, or our own salvation. Many who fall away had this crisis of faith. “How can an all-powerful and loving God allow this to happen?” Hard seasons bring legitimate pain and suffering, and these questions are natural.
Fortunately, the Bible doesn’t remain silent about these struggles. Scholars believe Job to be the first written book of the Bible. Before the five books of Moses, someone wrote down the suffering of a righteous man and a good God.
Even in John 16, Jesus makes another promise. After declaring the trouble we will encounter in this world, Christ promises that we shouldn’t lose heart, he has overcome the world. In Christ, we have victory even through trying times. And the Bible has much comfort to offer as we endure them.
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What is God’s Purpose in Trials?
We live in a broken world, an environment corrupted by sin. For those following Jesus, he never promises we will escape dealing with struggle or corruption. He calls us to be in the world but not of it (John 17:14-16). Do be that testimony, a heavenly people on a sinful earth, we go through trials and tragedy.
But God doesn’t waste pain or suffering. God’s purpose in trials isn’t to harm us but to strengthen our faith. Trials teach us how we can’t trust the temporary things of this world and how to trust the eternal God and his promises. Facing hardships, we have the opportunity to let go of the things we can’t count on and won’t save us. Instead, we lean on and cling to God and his character, his Word, and his love. As a refining, trying times expose our weaknesses, the unworthy things we trust in, and we can remove those faulty expectations to a greater one in Christ. This strengthens our faith.
Strengthening our faith makes us more like God. Romans 8:29 declares how the Father chooses us “to be conformed to the image of his Son.” Transformation often happens through trial.
At the same time, trying times also reveal the treasure within. Jesus himself, although perfect in every way, endured trials. He suffered rejection, racial slurs, betrayal, physical agony, and death, all even though he came to save and love. He revealed how suffering doesn’t mean God’s displeased with us, or doesn’t love us, but sometimes the quite the opposite. Hebrews 5:8 says Jesus “learned obedience through what he suffered.” If Jesus, the sinless Son of God, grew through suffering, then we followers can expect the same to serve a purpose.
As these trials either strengthen or reveal our faith, or both at once, we become a testimony to others. People witness faith working when it’s difficult. Anyone can claim faith in amazing and abundant times. But when we remain faithful and find victory in trying times, people see faith and God’s love at its best. We draw others to the Father by acting like the Son by the Spirit through hard times.
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The Father’s Promised Presence
And yet the pain is real. While we can admit God’s purpose in trials, we suffer in the moment. Thankfully, God’s grace and presence remain with us.
God comforts us with His Spirit, also called the Comforter. During struggles, we easily feel alone and isolated in our pain. And yet, God never leaves us or forsakes us. God stays close and speaks truth to us to combat our fears and doubts. The Father doesn’t go distant. He’s not indifferent. He cares deeply.
No circumstance changes God’s unchangeable love. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39), not hardship or suffering or even death. God’s constant presence brings love and peace to our hearts, greater than the fear or sorrow that try to overwhelm us.
God’s love and presence give us the strength to endure. When we feel weak and want to quit, the Spirit empowers us to keep going. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:10) We don’t have to endure in our own strength. We have access to his strength in his presence.
Clinging to him, God gives revelation about the trial. Through faith, he shows us the purpose and our part within the situation. On the surface, a trial brings confusion and doubt. But when we ask and seek the Father’s heart, he gives us wisdom. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” (Psalm 32:8) The Spirit leads us and gives light when the way seems dark.
Experiencing God’s presence in the moment, we also endure through the secure hope he offers us in Christ.
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Our Secure Future Hope
Without hope, we will quit. God’s presence and character teach us how God has fulfilled his promises in the past and will again in the future. We have such a secure hope in Christ.
This hope comforts us during trying times. Doubt treats the middle of the story like the end of the story. Yet all the heroic tales show how important it is to push through the dark nights to the later victory. Our current troubles aren’t the end of the story. The temporary situation doesn’t change eternal promises. No matter how dark things may get, legitimately, God will one day make all things new. A sure hope gives our suffering meaning.
2 Corinthians 4:17 reminds us how our present struggles are “light and momentary” compared to the eternal glory to come. Knowing our future eternal promise of the Kingdom and the new heaven and earth, we can face hardships without losing heart. We can love others even when they don’t love us back. God promises our faithfulness during suffering produces greater glory later, as it did with Jesus (Philippians 2).
During trials, we easily focus on the injustice and corruption. People betray others with hate and indifference. But Jesus will return to set all things right. Justice and restoration will come. When Christ returns, he will wipe away every tear. Death, crying, and pain will be no more (Revelation 21:4). Sorrow and corruption won’t be the end of the story. Romans 8:28 tells us how God works all things together for the good of those who love him. Even though we might not see how, we trust God works to shape us and bless others through trying times for his glory and our joy.
Looking at these things, our faith strengthens. We worship during the difficult times, knowing the future good promised. We can live the victory even during the darkness. Our King will make it all right.
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What are Some Biblical Examples of God Empowering People During Trials?
The Bible not only tells us these things, it shows us God’s work through narratives of real people and places. From Genesis to Revelation, the Scripture records how people overcame and endured hardships through faith.
First, Joseph’s life reveals how God’s presence brought comfort and strength during hardship. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and then unjustly imprisoned after being falsely accused. Yet he had been given a vision of his leadership and authority as a child. Joseph could have given in to despair and doubt, but Genesis 39 tells us how, “The Lord was with Joseph.” Even after great injustice, God sustained and blessed Joseph. Eventually, Joseph was raised to Egyptian leadership, being a prisoner one day and then second in command under Pharaoh the next. Joseph maintained an eternal perspective, telling his brothers later, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” (Genesis 50:20) Joseph’s experience of strength during trying times while keeping his hope in God’s plan.
Second, the apostle Paul faced great resistance and suffering in his ministry—beatings, imprisonment, shipwrecks, and more. But he didn’t lose hope. He wrote amazing, inspired letters to other believers while he was in prison. He writes, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6) Since Paul still had hope in the eternal promises, he could offer the same to the church and us today. Paul’s prison letters bring encouragement, prayers, worship of God, and peace. His external circumstances didn’t shake his faith or inner hope.
Through Joseph and Paul and many others, the Bible shows us that God doesn’t remove every hardship, but he walks with us through them and offers eternal, secure promises for those who remain faithful.
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How Do We Cling to the Father’s Hope in Difficult Times?
The Bible stories happened to real humans like us. We can take encouragement from them. They dealt with doubt and struggles like we do. And we can find comfort, endure, and overcome as they did—in Christ.
First, we pray honestly. God knows our thoughts, doubts, and confusion, and we shouldn’t hide them from him. We pour out our hearts, confess our fears and doubts, and we ask for his help. We cast our cares on him because he cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). God responds to honest prayer with comfort, truth, and peace.
Second, we meditate on the Bible. God’s Word constantly reminds us of his past faithfulness through difficult situations and his eternal promises. Find verses like Romans 8:28 to anchor our souls in hope during trying times. God’s truth will combat the lies of fear and hopelessness.
Third, we choose to worship and praise him. Like Paul and Silas did when imprisoned for their faith, worship changes our focus from our current problem to our great God. Singing or speaking out about God’s goodness places our attention on the right person and power.
Fourth, we refuse to quit. Believing in his goodness and promises, we learn to cling to God no matter what. Feelings fail. Answers take time. But God remains worthy of our love and life. We choose to take up our cross daily and trust him, even when we don’t see the solution in the moment. He is enough. His grace is sufficient.
Clinging to God might not change our circumstances immediately, but it transforms our hearts. We find comfort and strength in the presence and hope of Christ. He is a faithful Father and works to give us good things.
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Originally published Friday, 16 May 2025.