Why Tribulation?

Victory Can Be Yours!

Article # 9 – “Why Tribulation?”

The Supreme Court of the United States has announced recently that it is okay to have prayer at a public meeting such as a City Council meeting.  Also, recently, a young man was suspended from high school for reading his Bible in school.  Each of these situations has caused many people a lot of grief, or tribulation.  There are situations that we are confronted with each and every day that cause us great tribulation.  Some are extreme and some are not quite so extreme.  How are we to see such tribulation?

            Everything that enters into our lives should cause us to look to God for wisdom in handling tribulations.  God tells us in His Word, “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; perseverance proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Rom. 5: 3-5)

            It is difficult, to say the least, to understand how a person can be suffering and at the same time be extremely joyful.  First we must understand that God uses tribulations to build our faith and trust in Him; to improve our character; and to help mold us into the image of His Son.  If a Christian has a proper attitude during a period of suffering, God will make these things a reality in his life.  With a proper attitude during these trials, the believer also brings glory to God.

            The Holy Spirit was given because of the tremendous love of God.  Each Christian, the exact moment he believes in Jesus Christ, is given the Holy Spirit to dwell within the heart of the believer.  He is given by Christ to the child of God to carry out many ministries:

1.     He teaches the believer. (1 John 2: 27)

2.     He helps the believer. (John 14: 16, 17)

3.     He empowers the believer for witnessing. (Acts 1: 8)

4.     He regenerates the believer. (Titus 3: 5)

5.     He helps the believer to pray. (Rom. 8: 26)

6.     He gives assurance of Salvation. (Rom. 8: 16)

7.     He conforms the believer into the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3: 18)

8.     He administers the spiritual gifts given by Christ. (Eph. 4: 7, 8)

There are other functions of the Holy Spirit in the Church.  His most important function is not to exalt Himself, but to place Christ above everything else in the heart of each child of God.  Christ is to be the very center of our lives.

            Thank God for the tribulations He allows to come to us to strengthen our faith and character.  And, thank God for the love He has proven by giving us the Holy Spirit who dwells in our heart and controls our lives as a new creation in Christ Jesus our Lord, if we allow Him.

            You, too, can have victory in Jesus!  More will follow.

Lowell Parrish