Words of Encouragement For Those Going Through Trials

"You've been through so much," a few friends remarked after hearing I would need surgery. One encouraged me to write a testimony. I have added some verses which I have found comforting and uplifting to my spirit.

In 1999 my new-born daughter nearly died at birth. Several other times within her first year we almost lost her. Our family and friends grew closer to God through this. Susie still has health problems but she is thriving and continues to touch other people's lives!

"For a great and effective door has been opened to me, and there are many adversaries." --1 Corinthians 16:9

In 2001 a tumor was discovered in my chest and diagnosed as lung cancer. However, after biopsy, it was thought to be benign and removed. I give God glory for saving my lung and ribs from being removed, an answer to many prayers! I also thank all of you who prayed for me! I write this one week following surgery. I am in much pain, as my body rejects most pain medication. The Word says I am "the temple of God and the Holy Spirit dwells in" me. (1 Corinthians 3:16) That means He is in me feeling my pain. I thought I was already enough of a "pain" to Him, but he shares everything with me! He has plans to continue my stay on this earth for His purposes.

"For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."-- Jeremiah 29:11

I have enough "assignments" to keep me busy. Thank you for keeping me busy, Lord!

"Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." --James 4:7

Job's unwavering love for God and perseverance through trials is a comfort for those who read his book. I suppose I have been through a lot, but not near what Job did. Our common enemy wants us to turn and hate God. I love God more than anyone or anything! My family is committed to serving the Lord, through the good times and the hard times. There is no other way to live!

"As or me and my house, we will serve the Lord."--Joshua 24:15

I will never forget the words of a traveling evangelist, who said, "There's nothing in this world worth missing Heaven for!" Our greatest hope is to be with our Creator God in all of His glory! Therefore, "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of  God in Christ Jesus." --Philippians 3:14

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."--James 1:2-4

Are you are walking in God's grace, with faith in Jesus, and living in the power of the Holy Spirit? Then don't let anyone tell you that because God did not heal you, or answer prayer when and in the way you expected, that you must be in sin or lacking in faith. Such a person is akin to one of Job's "friends." They do not understand that there are spiritual battles in progress, and/or God is waiting to heal in "His time."

Note the health problems of Moses, Job, and Paul, who were not in sin or lacking faith. Job was healed later while on earth. Moses and Paul were told they would not be healed, but we know they have glorified bodies now. God has His purposes for what He does. Unless you are given a clear word from God, as He did Paul, that He will not heal you at this time, then keep praying! Sometimes healing will come years from now. I have been healed from infirmities instantly, I have had healings take 5 years of prayer, and other things I have prayed for 30 years with no apparent result. And God uses doctors. Who do you think gave the doctors all of their wisdom and understanding?  Remember God chose a physician, Luke, to write one of the gospels.

Then Moses said to the Lord, "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." So the Lord said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?"--Exodus 4:10,11

The previous passage was especially comforting considering my daughter's health problems. If God chooses not to heal her now, He can use her as she is, as He did Moses. But, we keep praying for her complete healing!

Paul wrote: "And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in
weakness." Therefore I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Many times we seek God in some large way, all the while He is whispering to us, but we won't sit still and just listen. We know He uses these big trials in our lives to bring us closer to Him.

"Be still, and know that I am God."--Psalm 46:10

"Then He said (to Elijah), "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice."--1 Kings 19:11,12

"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose."--Romans 8:26-28

"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he."-- Proverbs 23:7

"A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones."--Proverbs 17:22

"Rejoice in the Lord always. And again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of god, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."--Ephesians 4:4-8, 11-13

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."-- Isaiah 40:31

He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces. Isaiah 25:8

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4

He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be my son. Revelation 21:7


The next few verses offer comfort for suffering through tribulation, which is quite different than a trial or testing. Sometimes, it is difficult to discern between the two. I consider Job's suffering to have been both. Sometimes the words may be used interchangeably.

Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter." Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life. nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39


Through suffering, we are a "Comforter in training," so that we can comfort and empathize with others.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

If you are going through trials, you may have to put ministry aside for awhile. But it is certainly and foremost a time to read your Bible, worship, pray, and seek closeness with God. You will be blessed!

Pray this prayer of David from Psalm 18:1-3:
"I will love you, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies."

I hope you have been encouraged by these words!

Suggested reading: Ephesians, Job, and the Psalms.

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May God bless you!
Hugh T. Morgan
May 10, 2001 (c) Hugh T. Morgan

P.O. Box 132373, Columbus, OH 43213-9373
Bible verses from the New King James Version

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