Trusting In God During Trials

indeed we had the sentence of death in ourselves so that we existed no longer trusting in ourselves but in God (1 Corinthians 1:9)

They had a sentence of death, during the affliction Paul and others with him suffered in Asia. They were burdened to such a point it was beyond their ability to cope, they had no power left in themselves that they despaired even of living (1 Corinthians 1:8-9). This affliction, the sentence of death within brought them to a point that they trusted in God.

in this rejoice if not for a short time, you are made sorrowful in various trials so that the proving of your faith (more precious than gold that perishes) proven by fire, now found to the extent praise and glory and honor in the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:6-7)

Trials and afflictions in this life are not without a purpose. Peter says that the proving of our faith is more precious than any earthly blessing. Having a mind that is renewed and can approve of God's will as acceptable, good, and perfect is what the proving accomplishes, to be found to the praise, honor, and glory of God.

confirming the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to abide in faith, and through many tribulations it is necessary to enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22)

The word confirm means "to cause to rest or lean on, to settle upon; met. to conform, strengthen, establish."* Paul realized the need to cause the souls of the disciples to rest or lean toward faith during tribulations. The scriptures testify that the blessed life is not based upon earthly circumstances, we enter the kingdom through tribulations. Paul testifies to the good fight of faith through his many tribulations, escaping the mouth of a lion, fighting wild animals in Ephesus, being thrown into prison, beaten, stoned, shipwrecked... He received many blessings and revelations thus experiencing more of Christ's life as he participated in his earthly sufferings. So to be found to the glory of God through tribulations.

... and we boast to the extent of the glory of God and not only, rather we rejoice in our suffering knowing that suffering works out endurance, and endurance proving and proving hope... (Romans 5:3-5)

It is to the extent of the glory of God that we experience affliction. We can encourage others who go through trials because we have but also God's glory is being revealed in us, we are being transformed from glory to glory. This is why Peter says the trial is more precious than anything earthly like gold, because we are found (confirmed, established, transformed) to the extent of the glory of God. We praise God and honor God when such glory is being revealed in us.

... we rejoice in our suffering knowing that suffering works out endurance, and endurance proving and proving hope... (Romans 5:3-5)

We boast to the extent of the glory of God but not only that, suffering and affliction have a purpose. The Greek word works out speaks to what Paul means when he says we work out our salvation and to how we learn to stand applying the armor of God by working it out (Philippians 2:12; Ephesians 6:13). James uses this word when writing the "proving of your faith works out endurance." (James 1:3-4). And when you have endurance, is worked out, you have its intended purpose. Or said another way you have the end purpose or goal of the working out. Which is maturity and wholeness, lacking in nothing.

blessed is the man who remains tested because he comes into existence proven... (James 1:12)

Blessings more precious than gold come when we endure the proving of our faith, a proving that comes through fire. The affliction that brings us to a point where we are burdened to such a point "beyond our ability to cope," brings us into a place where we find that trusting in our strength, our abilities, or power is not enough.

Trusting in God through strengthening our faith fully convinces us that God is faithful and rewards those who seek him. Having the sentence of death in our bodies is so that we exist no longer trusting in ourselves but in God.

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Love Fulfilled Ministry

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