Why Does God Allow Trials? A Four Word Answer...So Simple

Lately, there has been a lot of discussion about big time TV ministers pushing the Prosperity Gospel. Several articles and blogs have been written about the subject. What is the Prosperity Gospel? It basically teaches that when you start following Christ, all will go well with you. You will have happiness in relationships, finances, health and so on.

A lot of people searching for meaning hear this Christian messages from their TV’s, radios, pulpits, magazines and books.

When things go wrong and their mother dies after they have prayed or their best friend gets cancer or they see children getting abused, they wonder what went wrong and they blame God. The Prosperity Gospel teaches that God is like Santa who gives good gifts, so if bad things happen, He must have made that happen, too. The conclusion is that God is not a loving God if he allows bad things to happen.

First, the concept that all will be good and right when you follow Christ is not in the Bible. Job was righteous but lost it all. David was a man after God’s own heart, but his life went south. Even after Jesus was baptized, Matthew 4:1-11 describes Jesus himself was tempted with physical needs (bread), selfish desires (kingdoms and splendor), and spiritual (testing God). We are tempted by the same things everyday.

It is true that what Satan said in Job 1:9, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything else he has? You have blessed the work of his hands…” BUT, you can’t stop at that verse only and say, “See, see! If you fear the Lord, he will always protect you and make you prosper.” You have to read the whole Bible. 1 Peter 1:4-7 says, “This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, THOUGH now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith may be proved genuine…and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”  So, how will you prove your love for Christ is genuine? By standing firm in trials and not loosing faith. Is your faith unshakable or do you ditch it and question at the first sign of prosperity being lost? Also read 2 Cor 8:2-9

Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 3:2, “Timothy…is spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we were designed for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way as you well know.”

Paul also says in 2 Thessalonians 1:4, “Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.”

Paul continues to say in verse 6 that he will repay those who trouble you and give relief to those who are troubled. BUT, you can’t stop there! “This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.” Payback may not be on this earth and it should not be from us. Sometimes we see ‘bad’ people prosper and wonder how God could allow such a thing. God’s judgment is waiting for those who live selfishly. God is also giving all time to come back to Him. 2 Peter 3:9 explains why God is patient with the ungodly. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promises, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to come to repentance.”

God waits for us to have unshakable faith in the midst of trials and hardships. Comfort is not promised by God. So, when someone says, “How can a loving God allow such bad thing?” Say: “To strengthen your faith (four little words)…how is yours?” The only way to understand this concept is to think eternal…not worldly. (more on that next week)