Common Sense Commentary: "The wise man in the storm prays to God, not for safety from
danger, but for deliverance from fear." - Emerson, 1833
The fact is, there is no benefit, at all, for us in easy, trouble free times, that last for longer than eight hours of needed sleep. All growth in character, prosperity, education, spirituality and physical or mental development, take place during the hard times in life. It is tribulation (trial) that develops patience (perseverance) and sets in motion a series of character building, spiritual growth. "...We glory in
tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience. And patience, experience; and experience,
hope: And hope maketh not ashamed ...." Romans 5:3-5. Hardship trials produce perseverance/endurance and that produces personal experience proof and that produces the blessed assurance of hope and that positive hope removes the fear and embarrassment of open, public profession of faith in Christ. Tribulation works all that out to the surface of our Christian experience.
It was Job's physical and mental suffering and loss of everything that God used to prepare Job for twice the faith, success, honor and prosperity as he had before his fear and tribulation nearly destroyed him.
Hear these faithful believer's testimonies of the benefits of hardship:
Job - " But he (God) knoweth the way that I take: when he
hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Job 23:10
Moses - "If ... thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if
thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
When thou art in tribulation, and
all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou
turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;
(For the LORD thy God is a
merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the
covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them." Deut.4:29-31
Isaiah - " For my name's sake will I defer mine anger, and
for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off. Behold, I have refined thee .... I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." Isa.48:9-10
David - "Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O
LORD, according unto thy word. Teach
me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
Before I was afflicted I went astray:
but now have I kept thy word." Pam.119:65-67
Solomon - "My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD;
neither be weary of his correction:
For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom
he delighteth. Happy is the man
that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding." Prov.3:11-13
Peter - ".... Now for a
season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptation (trials):
That the trial of your faith, being much
more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might
be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ."
1 Pet.1:6-7
Paul - "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to
be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit
of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." Heb.12:11
Luke - "Confirming ... the disciples, and
exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much
tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." Acts 14:22
Rayburn - At 81 I can clearly see that all the tribulations and trials of my past life are nothing less that stepping stones leading to God's purpose and plan for my life. RB
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".... No man should be moved by these
afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto." 1 Thess.3:3
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