Anyone who knows me and the trial that I was facing in the past year, has heard me refer to this time as my “fiery trial.” My faith was tested in more than one way and over a relatively long period of time. The Scriptures tell us many things about trials—and they are good! 

Many years ago, I taught a course at work about stress management. The one thing that everyone should realize about a stressful event (a trigger, an overwhelming or negative circumstance), is that the level of stress that a person will experience is determined by their perception of the situation. This explains why people react differently to the very same event. 

As a born-again believer in Jesus, our perception of a trial—or “tribulation”—should be perceived through the lens of our unwavering faith. 

Look at what Jesus said about tribulations:

John 16:33—“In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!” 

Have you ever noticed that Jesus said He had overcome the world before His death and resurrection? He was speaking in the present tense! (This was recorded in John’s gospel before Judas betrayed Him and prior to His arrest.) Jesus is God manifested in the flesh, telling us that it has already been done. 

Speaking as a man, He acknowledged what His work would accomplish—even though it hadn’t happened yet on the world’s timeline. Does this sound like faith? Saying something is accomplished before it physically manifests? Jesus’ faith as a man, combined with the Father’s truth of His promise to overcome the world—before the world even existed—manifested in the great example of how we are to perceive tribulation. 

Jesus tells us that His overcoming—His victory—should be our response to the many tribulations that we will face.

Two months after being diagnosed with oral cancer, and before deciding to have a very radical surgery, I was experiencing the truth of the Scriptures despite having a life-threatening disease. In essence, I felt that I was being changed! You may not realize how much a trial can change you until you actually go through it. 

My spirit was maturing and strengthening, and I knew that I was changing by God’s grace and in His mighty power. I was experiencing Jesus’ victory over the world! (This was during the time when my doctor was leaving phone messages that I was risking my life by putting off surgery. The “worldly report” did not look very good.)

Jesus overcoming the world explains the reason why we are told in Scripture to be joyful when troubles come. The presence of tribulation provides another opportunity for God to overcome evil, and you are now a part of that victory because of your faith in Jesus. 

James writes that the testing of our faith develops perseverance, which “finishes its work” so we will mature, having everything we need. 

James 1:2-4—“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

We have the tendency to resist trials because they are uncomfortable, but look at the promises! We will be mature, complete, and have everything that we need by allowing our faith to be tested. That is a powerful promise for this lifetime on the earth. As a person living in a fallen world, this is the Good News of the Gospel.

Now look what James says regarding our other great reward: 

James 1:12—“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”

This “crown of life” is not a figure of speech. There is not enough room in this article to speak about this crown given to us because we have “stood the test,” but what Glory we will have with the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ! Just know that we will be rewarded as “joint heirs with Christ” and will be given great honors because we are part of God’s family. We also see a connection in James 1:12 between those who have “stood the test” and “those who love Him” as being the same. Our faith is an expression of love towards God!

Finally, Paul writes that suffering produces perseverance which produces character, resulting in hope that does not disappoint. God’s love will be revealed to us through the Holy Spirit. Because of these promises, Paul reminds us to “rejoice in our sufferings!” (Romans 5:3-5)

If you are in a trial—confronted by sickness or a life-threatening disease—absorb yourself in these Scriptures. Jesus has overcome all things of the world. Stand up to these trials by acknowledging that Jesus is in you, and the world has no power over you! 

God has promised if you stand during the trial and trust in Him, that you will lack nothing, you will mature, your character will develop they way He desires, and you will not be disappointed! God will pour out His love in your heart by the Holy Spirit—and you will be changed forever!