Why Tribulations Are A Test To See How Faithful You Really Are
Photo Credit: Mizuno K
Sometimes we go through hardship and we don’t understand why, writes Hazzy Redgard. Often, we can try to blame God and others around us for what we’re going through – we may be going through something that is no fault of our own. But God doesn’t allow you to go through hardship because He doesn’t love you – no – quite the opposite
“Then Moses told Aaron, “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’” While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud. The Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning, you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’””
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The Israelites were grumbling against Moses and Aaron, but they were ultimately grumbling against God, because there was no food to eat and they were hungry. God heard their grumbling against Him, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt!”
That is so ungrateful. That sort of behaviour is unacceptable and God saw it. The glory of the Lord appeared in the clouds as Aaron was speaking to the Israelites. At that moment, I would’ve been terrified, especially if I was one of the ones grumbling. And at the same time, if I were God, I would be angry. But, God didn’t strike them down. Instead, He responded to their grumbling with a blessing: manna and quail.
This group of people had no right to be angry at God. He had no obligation to give them manna. However, He heard their grumbling and decided to give them something to eat. Wow, God is merciful. It only took the Israelites two and a half months after they left Egypt to wish they were dead. Quite simply, they had no faith and no character, and quite simply, God had every right to strike them down because of their bitterness and unfaithfulness, but instead He chose to bless them. He wanted the Israelites to know that He was the Lord their God. The most important thing that mattered to God was having a relationship with His people and showering them with mercy. So, He provided manna when He saw that they were struggling and couldn’t take it anymore.
I know that I personally can be a lot like the Israelites. God rescued me from the being captive to the world (Egypt) and I’ve complained about my discipleship to Him. How wicked, but it’s better than being a slave to sin!
God sent me on the mission team in 2024 and it’s been incredibly hard work and very testing - all I’ve done this entire time is complain. I’ve complained to God. I’ve grumbled to God about the work He has given me. When did I become so selfish and entitled? When did I become so self-obsessed? When becoming a Christian, I literally said I would go anywhere, do anything, and give up everything for God. This is the trademark of becoming a Christian. How far have I fallen? I think I’ve lost that heart slightly. I only want to do what God says if it aligns with what I want. But that’s not how this works. He rescued me and now He’s the driver and I’m in the passenger seat. I can’t grumble against God. I want an easy life but I can’t have it.
Christians should never be entitled, God never promised us an easy life. In fact, Jesus specifically said that being a Christian is difficult (Luke 9:23-26). Whatever trial or season you’re in, God is going to come through because He wants a relationship with you.
If you’re going through trials and tribulations right now, I beg of you, don’t say ‘Why God?’, say, ‘Please, God’, and ask Him for His help, because God wants to bless you. Trials aren’t always a bad thing, it could be God testing you to see how faithful you really are, pushing you to breaking point so that you truly develop a reliance on Him. I want to leave you with this scripture:
“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.”
