Trials and tribulation expose our strengths and weaknesses.

Through the strife of stressful conditions, the Lord reveals our strengths and weaknesses in our spiritual walk. We have two choices: allow our natural tendencies (Col 3:5-9) to play out OR apply Biblical responses (Col 3:12-17). The Lord reveals our tendencies to us when we engage biblical truths to help us righteously respond to stress. To condition your responses based on biblical truths FIRST study the profile of biblical characters to identify their tendencies (study the ways of the Father and Jesus closely); then look at your natural conditioned responses with the scales removed, an open mind, and a softened heart; ask the Holy Spirit to reveal your heart to you; and in prayer and guidance of the Holy Spirit, ask for forgiveness for your previous carnal ways and ask for the wisdom and divine council to learn how to align your responses with those of biblical characters and truths.

Study guide: what we can do.

1. The preaching of John the Baptist (Luke 3:10-14).

2. “Our hearts ache, but at the same time we have the joy of the Lord. We are poor, but we give rich spiritual gifts to others. We own nothing, and yet we enjoy everything” (2Cor. 6:10; LB).

3. “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want; for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power” (Phil. 4:11-13; LB).

4. “Do you want to be truly rich? You already are if you are happy and good. After all, we didn’t bring any money with us when we came into the world, and we can’t carry away a single penny when we die. So we should be well satisfied without money if we have enough food and clothing. But people who long to be rich soon begin to do all kinds of wrong things to get money, things that hurt them and make them evil-minded and finally send them to hell itself. For the love of money is the first step towards all kinds of sin. Some people have even turned away from God because of their love for it, and as a result have pierced themselves with many sorrows” (ITim 6:6-10; LB).

5. “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (Ja 1:2-4).

6. God also says to rejoice in your tribulations and reap the spiritual benefits that tribulations bring. “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character, and proven character, hope” (Ro 5:3-4).

7. Repent your carnal ways, strengthen your faith through wisdom. Solomon understood: Ecc 12:11-12 – “The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd. But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.

8. Learn how to discern God’s way and the world’s way in order that you will “be careful how we walk, not as unwise men, but as wise” (Eph 5:15). Be sure that your walk is made “in a manner worthy of the Lord, (…) pleasing Him in all respects” (Col 1:10).

9. Stand on the truths. God understands our weaknesses and knows exactly what we are going through: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (Jhn 16:33). Refer also to 1Jo 2:13-14.
  a. “(…) we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are” (He 4:15).
  b. His grace is sufficient to overcome; His power is perfected in our lives when we rely upon his grace (2Cor 12:9). “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (2Cor 12:9).
  c. Reach out for help: “Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. . . Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6:1-2).
  d. God can use us no matter condition we are in: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Eph 2:10).
  e. The edge of the sword or trespass appears dull and inconsequential when we remember: “but as for you, ye thought evil against me; [but] God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as [it is] this day, to save much people alive” (Gen 50:20).