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Trials will come to those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. It is inevitable, it is certain, and it is difficult; but is it hopeless? Scripture is clear that trials will come upon believers (Jas 1:2-4; 1 Pet 4:12-14). The question is, how will we respond? 

Andy Stearns preached from Job 1, walking us down the path of suffering with Job. Scripture makes it abundantly clear that Job was a righteous man. We are told that Job “was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil” (Job 1:1). The following trial in Job’s life was not because of unrepentant sin. Be aware that God can and does chastise His children (Heb 12:6), but trials are not inherently predicated by sin (see John 9:2-3). With Job, there was no clear sin in his life that one could blame him with. 

Job was such a righteous man, that even God Himself called him blameless and upright (Job 1:8). Yet, He said this to Satan, the enemy of God and His people. Satan posited that Job only followed God because God protected him and gave him possessions (Job 1:9-10). If these things were taken away, would Job really still love God and fear Him? God then allowed Satan to test this theory (Job 1:12). 

So what happened to Job? We read that he lost all of his wealth and his children (Job 1:13-19). A great trial had come upon Job. He would not have known why, he would only know his present circumstances. What then does Job do? Does he curse God? No, instead, “Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped” (Job 1:20). Job was sorrowful, and that is not wrong. A great evil had indeed taken place. Alongside the sorrow, though, was submission and worship. Job held onto the character of his God. Even after such a great tragedy, Job believed that God was sovereign and that God did no wrong. 

We face trials in our own walks of life. They vary in degree, and people face unique circumstances. Not one person’s life is the same as another’s. What is the same is that we all must respond to trials. We all have the opportunity to hold onto the character of our God in difficult times. 

As believers, we must know who our God is to be able to have hope in Him. Read God’s revelation of Himself, the Scriptures, and understand who He is. God is merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (Ex 34:6). We know that God does not change (Mal 3:6). 

As believers, we can find comfort in our local church body. We can weep with those who weep (Rom 12:15). As is the case in the body, when one member suffers, all suffer together (1 Cor 12:26). The Christian walk is not a walk in isolation, but in community. 

After you have gone through a difficult trial, what are you to do then? As Paul makes it clear, just as God comforted you in your trial, you can now comfort others who go through the same things (2 Cor 1:4). If you have gone through a trial that is currently burdening someone else, speak a good word to them for their building up. Testify about the kind of God you believe in, a God whose character we can trust. 

As we go through difficult trials in life, let us believe that God is truly good!