Biblical Answer

The Value of Trials in Shaping Strength

When we face difficulties and challenges in life, it's natural to wonder why we have to go through them. We may feel like we're being tested or tried, and we may even question God's love and care for us. However, the Bible teaches us that God uses our trials to shape our strength and make us stronger in our faith. This is seen in the life of Paul, who wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:10, "When I am weak, then I am strong." Paul was referring to a situation where he was facing a thorn in the flesh, a physical affliction that was causing him great pain and distress. However, instead of complaining or becoming discouraged, Paul chose to see the situation as an opportunity to experience God's strength and power in his life.

The Role of God's Strength in Our Lives

The Bible teaches us that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. This means that when we're at our weakest, God is able to show up and work in our lives in a powerful way. This is seen in the story of Jesus, who said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). When we're connected to God and His strength, we're able to overcome obstacles and achieve great things. However, when we try to rely on our own strength and ability, we're bound to fail. This is because our strength is insufficient to win the victory over indwelling sin, or to prevent it from forcing us to do its bidding.

Growing in Strength through Prayer

So, how can we grow in strength and rely on God's strength in our lives? One way is to learn conversational prayer. This means praying to God in a natural and conversational way, asking Him to help us and guide us in our daily lives. We can also learn to pray, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" (Matthew 6:13, KJV). This prayer helps us to avoid temptation and to stay focused on God's strength and power in our lives. By praying and trusting in God's strength, we can overcome obstacles and achieve great things. We can also learn to see our difficulties as opportunities to experience God's strength and power in our lives. As we do this, we'll find that we're growing stronger and more confident in our faith, and we'll be able to overcome any obstacle that comes our way.