Coping With Trials and Tribulations

Pain and Heartache Are Temporary, Teaching Life Lessons

May 29, 2009

Many people lose hope and become discouraged during difficult times, but the Bible calls on Christians to trust and depend on God-even when faced with pain and hardship.

Trials and tribulations are unavoidable. Whether the pain is emotional or physical, everyone suffers at one point or another. The problem, according to Lloyd Pulley, senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Old Bridge, is that most people look to the world for answers.

“We see things as either good or bad,” Pulley explained in an interview with Suite101.com. “We don’t see the outcome. But God knows the end from the beginning. He knows the end of the book.”

In other words, God sees the big picture. In fact, the Bible states that everything in life — even pain and heartache — occurs for a reason and “for the good” of those who trust in God. According to Romans 8:28, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

“That’s a pinnacle for Christians to hold onto,” Pulley said. “We wouldn’t be so frustrated as we go through life if we kept that eternal perspective.”

Pain is Temporary

Humans have a tendency to believe that pain and hardship will never end. The Bible documents a number of cases in which Godly men believed the same. Joshua, a great military leader and Moses’ successor, was despondent after he lost the battle at Ai. He gave no thought to his previous victory at Jericho; instead, he tore his clothes in grief, threw himself to the ground and questioned why God had led the Jewish people across the Jordan River.

The apostle Paul, on the other hand, knew very well that pain is temporary. He was willing and able to keep an eternal perspective because he trusted and depended upon God.

In 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Paul wrote, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Paul also knew that God sometimes allows us to experience pain as a necessary part of spiritual growth. In fact, he claimed to “delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

“Sometimes the Lord has to rock our boat, lest we forget who we are,” Pulley explained.

The Power of Prayer

In times of pain and hardship, some believe that prayer is the most powerful weapon. Not only does it help Christians maintain the eternal perspective, but it also serves as an important link between the believer and a God who is all-loving and all-powerful.

“God has answered every single one of my prayers,” Pulley said. “Sometimes He said, ‘Yes,’ but most of the time He said, ‘No.’”

In such circumstances, it’s important to keep Romans 8:28 in mind. “When I was young, I had many doubts,” Pulley said. “The silence from the heavens was deafening. But I would look back on the situation years later and see the Lord’s answer.”

And most important, a believer must always trust God's will and trust that God is working for the good of His children. "'Thy' will be done, not 'My' will be done," Pulley said.

The copyright of the article Coping With Trials and Tribulations in Protestantism is owned by Jennifer Harrington. Permission to republish Coping With Trials and Tribulations in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.