Certainly the men and women of Bible times experienced severe troubles and temptations in life, just as we do, so by studying how God dealt with those people during their times of trial, we can learn a great deal about how He will also deal with us. The New Testament word "thlip'-sis" and Old Testament word "tsar" commonly used to describe such occasions literally mean "pressure" or "tightness", conveying the idea of trouble, anguish,  tribulation, affliction, or even persecution.  Another common New Testament word "pi-rad'-zo" and its Old Testament counterpart "naw-saw" can have either good or bad connotations. In a positive context they mean to examine, prove, try, discipline, but in a negative context, to entice or tempt. As we study this Topic, we will look at a few Biblical examples of such trials to help us understand how God might be expected to work in our lives through trials.

Personally I have never known a person who relishes trials in life. Yes, most of us do enjoy degrees of adventure and maybe even danger with some accompanying degree of discomfort, but I don't know anyone who enjoys the physical injuries and subsequent times of depression that those moments of exhilaration can bring. Yet if we are to be perfectly honest, we will probably have to agree that the chief culprit responsible for our trials is none other than US. More often than not, we deliberately or ignorantly place ourselves in situations that subsequently create grievous trials in life, then wonder just why it has happened to us. Still, it must be agreed that the Bible makes it clear that some trials are dispensed by God Himself, while others of the tempting or enticing sort, come from Satan.

Life's trials and temptations are as certain as life itself. Someone as aptly said, if you are not currently experiencing a serious trial, just wait awhile and one will come along. Jesus spoke of the way that trials and temptations can ultimately affect our relationship with God through teaching like the parable of the sower:

In Jesus' explanation of this parable, He associated verses 5-6 with those people who initially hear God's word with joy, but later fall away when tribulation or persecution fall on them as they try to apply its teachings. He then explained Verse 7 as descriptive of those people who allow the cares of this world and deceitfulness (temptation) of riches to choke it out of their lives.

While psychology does not usually associate trials directly with spirituality or a relationship with God, it does recognize their impact on us in other ways most familiar. Severe trials involving physical injuries, debilitating illnesses, major financial losses, divorces, permanent separation from or death of loved ones, legal problems, etc. usually evoke the following chain of responses:

1. Surprise or shock

2. Anger

3. Concerns about the future

4. Depression

5. Questions about why this has happened

The first two of these are pretty much universal since they are triggered by our basic human instincts. However, after those initial reactions begin to subside, the way we handle the last three responses will depend largely on the way in which we process our situation in light of Biblical teaching.

It is observed at the outset that the Apostle Paul was speaking here to people who were already believers in Jesus Christ by reason of their faith. Therefore, he was describing a subsequent process that should be normal for such believers. Accordingly, let's follow his reasoning through this process.

1. He claims that trials should actually be viewed in a positive rather than negative sense, because trials are actually the catalyst that can stimulate a process ultimately leading to spiritual growth. In other words, the very thing that superficially appears to work toward our downfall can actually initiate a process that will  work toward our eventual victory in life. This belies our gut reaction, causing it to be difficult to accept, but let's continue.
   
   

2. He says that trials should produce "perseverance", i.e. endurance. Indeed, I have found this to be true both in personal experiences, and as I have listened to people who are incarcerated and facing the punishments of their unlawful behavior. As long as we encounter trials that have a ready solution, we normally deal with them by taking counter actions to nullify their adverse effects. However, when serious trouble occurs, like one of those things mentioned above, we soon discover that the outcome is largely beyond our control. We may thrash around for a time, but must ultimately face the reality of the continuing problem, compelling us to move toward an attitude of self-restraint and patience. Accordingly, the word for "perseverance" used in the above Scripture defines an attitude that does not easily succumb under suffering.
   
   

3. "Perseverance" or endurance should then lead to "character". This word "character" has been  translated variously as, "experience", "proven character", or "strength of character", thereby carrying the idea that a prolonged period of meditative reflection about ones plight can actually give one a strength of mind, enabling that person to endure pain or adversity with courage. Once again, have we not all witnessed this sort of thing played out in the lives of special people, who by worldly logic should be miserable, but are rather a joy to behold?
   
   

4. We are told in the above Scripture that such strength of character can then lead to "hope", a word that is always positive in the New Testament and is seated in the joyful, confident, expectation of eternal salvation.
   
   

5. We are assured by the Scripture that this type of "hope" will never disappoint, because the person endowed with it will see God's response in love through the outpouring of His Holy Spirit.

Once again we discover that the Bible offers a perspective about life's trials diametrically opposed from those generally taken by the world. In fact, the Bible indicates that the doorway to God is usually through trouble rather than ease, and that spiritual growth is almost always built on personal adversity in this life, rather than on skill, education, study, fortune, or innate talent.

Based on the Biblical approach to tribulation just reviewed, people who pursue this path should see positive results. Certainly the Bible documents examples of God's working in the lives of Biblical characters who suffered through tribulations, but I believe it's also possible for us to confirm these with numerous modern-day counterparts who have also witnessed God's response, as they have pursued Paul's formula for working through trial. Here are a few examples gleaned from both sources:            

• WE ARE OFTEN CONVICTED TO TURN TO GOD THROUGH TRIBULATION
  
  Though not mentioned explicitly by Paul, I believe it can be argued convincingly that people typically begin to turn to God through times of tribulation. Certainly this is true of inmates within the correctional system who have confided with me. Most of them are quick to acknowledge that they think more about God while in jail, though they also add that they tend to forget about Him as soon as they are released. Nonetheless, those typical human responses in times of severe stress that cause us to be apprehensive about the future and question the track of our life, are the very reactions that turn our thoughts to God. Nevertheless, this is only the first step, for without a definite commitment such individuals will inexorably follow that pattern given by Jesus in His parable of the sower, where the "seed" fell on "stony ground" or in "thorns". 
  
  

• GOD CAN MANIFEST HIS CHARACTER AND PROVISION THROUGH TRIBULATION
  
  A classic example of this is evident in the Old Testament story of Job. This man experienced a level of tribulation so extraordinary that very few who read his story could truly relate to the intensity of his anguish. At the beginning, he was a wealthy man with large property holdings, blessed with family and friends, and in good health. However, during his time of tribulation, he systematically lost all of these things, then was tempted by his wife to abandon his integrity so he could die, and was scorned by his three "friends" who charged him with hidden sin. The Scripture acclaimed him to be a righteous man, yet he sank to such a point of despair that he yearned for death. Even in this sorry state he kept his integrity and his faith, yet sought to justify himself before the very God he trusted, on the grounds that he was being unjustly treated.
  
  When Job finally repented of this presumption, conceived by his intense suffering and in the absence of full understanding, the nature of God's response to Job is revealing. That response not only gives us a better understanding of God's character, but also teaches us how God ultimately provides for those who trust Him through tribulation.

We learn that God was not angered even by Job's blatant affront made in ignorance, but His blessings were not revealed to Job until after he prayed for his rash friends, whereupon they were forgiven and Job was restored twofold. Are there not some poignant messages in this story for those of us who face tribulations?

• GOD OFTEN EMPOWERS PEOPLE FOR SPECIAL SERVICE THROUGH TRIBULATION
  
  When the Apostle Paul was in a Roman prison, facing the final moments of his life, he was still able to testify to the Lord's faithfulness in empowering him for service.

 
Likewise, anyone who has seriously been involved in the service of God for a period of time has almost certainly witnessed such times of empowerment both in their life and in the lives of others who bear powerful testimonies. Here are just a few examples:

• Joni Ereckson Tata was already a Christian when she suffered a horrible swimming accident while still a teenager. She was left a quadriplegic and confined to a wheelchair for the rest of her life, leaving her in a condition that the world would say had essentially destroyed her useful life. However, though severely handicapped, she continued to trust God, whereupon He empowered her to develop a worldwide Christian ministry with a special emphasis on the handicapped. Surely, it was only through extreme personal suffering in her own life that such a ministry became possible. 
  
  

•  A personal friend of mine with firsthand knowledge told of an acquaintance who had studied to become a missionary in South America, however even with the greatest effort was unable to master Spanish in spoken form. Nevertheless, upon completing his formal studies, he remained convinced that God still called him to some type of ministry among Spanish speaking people. Unable to speak the language, he steadfastly journeyed to a small town in South America, and affiliated himself with a small local church in that place. After a short time, the local pastor sought to introduce him to the congregation, though he was unable to utter a single complete sentence in Spanish. When the pastor invited him to speak to the assembly, he tried with extreme embarrassment to utter a few words that might be understandable. Then suddenly, as he struggled, sentences began to emerge until he was able to freely converse in Spanish for the first time in his life. So by this means, he was empowered to remain in South America where he was able to develop a fruitful ministry. 
  
  

• A personal acquaintance of mine had begun a ministry as a volunteer in a correctional facility in the state of Maryland. Following a period of physical illness, he entered Johns Hopkins University medical center where he was diagnosed with a terminal, non-operable form of cancer. His friends joined with him in the hospital for prayer. When doctors continued their examination a short time later, they discovered that all signs of the cancer had disappeared, enabling him to return home and recommence his volunteer ministry in the jail. This incident occurred over 10 years ago, and he has since not only continued his jail ministry, but now also pastors a church.

Stories like these abound among dedicated Christians who have experienced times of severe tribulation, but have unswervingly continued to trust God for His provision and strength. Although we will not be dogmatic about just how we should interpret specific Biblical promises that might be relevant to such happenings, we will declare that God's Plan will never be thwarted by trials or other circumstances, for God is also in control of all such things, and is able to accomplish His purpose in the lives of those of His children who desire to serve Him.

• PIVOTAL SPIRITUAL GROWTH OFTEN COMES THROUGH TRIBULATION 
  
  As might be expected, people who have seen God's empowerment for service in dramatic ways, have also had the depth of their personal faith enhanced beyond measure. The life of the Apostle Paul was one of continual tribulation after that Damascus road conversion experience, yet here is his testimony regarding the net effect of those tribulations on his life.

Scriptures like this one are particularly difficult to assimilate for people who live in nations like the United States where laws safeguard against the persecution of minority groups, and individual affluence tends to provide a "safety net" against those forms of tribulation common in countries where the basic necessities of life are lacking. Perhaps these are the very reasons why Christianity in such "blessed" societies is noticeably superficial, devoid of real spiritual depth, and fearful of the slightest trial that might interfere with the easy life. Nevertheless, even in those societies, we would be well to remember that tribulation can take on many forms so everyone must ultimately face the same question of how we will deal with them. If we choose to deal with them in the world's way, they will almost certainly embitter and defeat us, but if they are approached in God's way, they can become portals through which we can witness God's blessings. 

Only then can we can ascribe to the following declaration with a heartfelt AMEN!