Trials Reveal and Build Character

For those charismatic "Christians" who say a believer should never be sick or encounter hardship, this is for you.

James 1:2-4 "2 Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

2 Coriinthians 11:23-29 ". 23 Are they servants of Christ?—I am speaking as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.

24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.

25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift at sea. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers;

27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.

29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?"

All believers experience hardships and physical ill-health as long as they live on this earth.

James 1:12

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."

Romans 5:3-5

"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose"

There is no special holiness for those who do not experience difficulties, it is possible that those who have no been through trials do not grow in holiness. There is no need to trust in Christ fully when we live a life without trials.

No spiritual or emotional maturity occurs in those who have not had to endure struggle, trials and tribulation.

Our greatest trust in Christ develops when we have to go through testing, knowing He goes through with us.