The challenging part of the Christian life is that although we are disciples of Christ, we are not immune to life’s suffering and trials.
The Bible teaches that God loves those who are His children and that “all things work together for our good” (Romans 8:28), illness and accidents, financial hardship, worry and fear?.
So that must mean that the suffering and trials that He allows into our lives are part of the fact that all things work together for the best.
Here are 51 powerful bible verses on suffering and trials; as believers, read daily because victory is ours, no matter the life’s trials and suffering.
God tests us through Suffering and Trials
We still understand well that God tests people like Abraham through suffering and trials. But we often don’t know why He does it.
What does God get out of trying us anyway? He knows everything always, including how we are made, our mistakes, our suffering and trials and our behavior.
He continuously checks for the good. Tests us every time with the goal of a positive result.
The result of such tests of faith is always probation, authenticity (e. g Roman 5.4; 1 Thesis 2.4; God never tempts us to do evil (James 1:13).
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Roman 5:3
Not only so, but we can also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
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1 Peter 1:7
These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.
So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
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1 Peter 4:12
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
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Job 23:10
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
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Psalm 66:10-12
For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried…
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Deuteronomy 8:2
Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.
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Deuteronomy 13:3
You must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.
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Job 7:17-18
What is man that you magnify him, that you worry about him, that you examine him every morning, and every moment you put him to the test?
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Job 23:10
But He knows the road I take; {When} I have been tested, I will come out like gold.
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Psalms 11:5
The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, and his soul hates him who loves violence.
Also Related: 55 Bible Verses about Hope and Encouragement.
Positive result through the Suffering and Trials
There are many examples of positive test results through suffering and trials. The Psalmist likens our trial to the refinement of silver (Psalm 66:10).
Peter speaks of our faith as more precious than perishable gold and therefore grieved in various temptations.
Through the suffering and trials of our faith, God causes us to grow into solid followers who genuinely walk by faith, not by only what we see (2 Corinthians 5:7).
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James 1:12
Blessed is he who endures temptation; for after he has been tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him
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Psalm 66:10
For you, God tested us; you refined us like silver.
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1 Peter 1:6-7
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
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1 Peter 1:6-7
These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed
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2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
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2 Corinthians 12:10
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
What should we do when we face Suffering and trials?
Suffering and Trials develop a divine character and this enables us: “We also boast in afflictions, knowing that affliction brings patience, and patience but trial, trial and hope, but hope never disappoints; for the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).
The account of Job is an example of God allowing one of his saints to be tested by the devil. Job patiently endured all his suffering and trials: “In all these things Job sinned not and did nothing foolish against God” (Job 1:22).
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I Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
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Psalm 50:15
And call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.
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1 Peter 4:12
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
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1 Peter 4:13
But rejoice in as much as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
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1 Peter 4:14
If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
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1 Peter 4:15
If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
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1 Peter 4:16
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
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1 Peter 4:19
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
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1 Peter 3:14
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats.
Suffering and Trials are designed to strengthen our faith in God
Suffering and trials that God allows in our lives are designed to strengthen our trust and faith in our Heavenly Father. They help us grow spiritually.
No matter how much we may suffer, we can always be sure that God does not allow anything in our lives that we cannot cope with.
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Psalm 23:4
Even if I wander in a dark gorge, I fear no evil, for you are with me , ).
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1 Peter 1:6
Therefore ye rejoice, although now ye may suffer for a little while trials of all kinds.
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1 Peter 1:7
By this your faith shall be proved, and it shall be shown to be more valuable than gold, which has been tried in fire and yet perishes. So shall (your faith) come to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
The Suffering and Trials of Job
In the book of Job, a dialogue begins between God and Job so that his servant understands that he must not resist the perfect will of God, surrender to Him and endure until the suffering passes.
If Job could not understand the simplest things, as he would understand the most complicated, it is always so.
There is great danger in judging God’s actions, but he loves us. With these words, we are referred to Job in the letter of James. He endured his sufferings with exceptional patience.
In doing so, he became a notable example for all the redeemed who would also go through suffering and trials after him.
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James 5:11
You heard of the patience of Job, and you saw the end of the Lord, that the Lord is full of tender compassion and merciful.
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Job 1:14.15
A messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby
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Job 1:16
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
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Job 1:17
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
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Job 1:18
While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house
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Job 2:7
So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.
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Job 2:9-10
His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”
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Job 2:11.13
When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him
God will often grant your heart’s desires after suffering and trials
The reality that a child loves his father and finds delight in fulfilling his will does not determine suffering and trials.
Still, it will help to manage his own “wishes” or “desires” and will also be why the father will agree with your requests.
37:4
Delight in the LORD; he will give you what your heart desires
- 84:12
The LORD…will not withhold (withhold) any good thing from the upright (the upright)
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Psalm 145:19a
He fulfills the desires (requests) of those who fear (respect) Him (EB)
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Proverb 10:24b
What the righteous desire (ask) is given (granted) to them
Suffering & Trials Must Be Expected
Suffering and trials are the norm, not the exception, in the Christian life. From the moment Christ invited us to join him, he made two conditions clear: we must deny ourselves and take up our cross.
When Saul of Tarsus was converted on the road to Damascus, he did not experience a Benny Hinn-style healing.
Instead, God blinded him, left him in that condition for days, and sent a reluctant evangelist named Ananias to inform him how much he would suffer for the name of Christ (Acts 9:15).
- 34:20
Many are the sufferings of the righteous, but the LORD delivers them from all
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Acts 14:22
We must enter the kingdom of God through many tribulations
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1 Cor.10:13a
No temptation took hold of you but a human one (a trial all men face) (NEB)
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1 Thesis 3:3
Lest anyone should falter in these afflictions; for you yourselves know that it is destined for us (that we are faced with such obstacles)
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1 Peter 4:12
Brothers, do not be confused by the blaze of fire that has come upon you to try you
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1 Peter5:9
Know that the same sufferings are being done to your brethren throughout the world.
Patience in Suffering and Trials
While the Bible teaches us that we are to be patient with one another, we should not be patient with the enemy in time of suffering and trials. 1 Peter 5:9.
Whom Resist, Firm in the Faith… shares a beautiful and fundamental principle: “Resist him, firm in the faith.” We must resist the devil from the first moment.
- James 5:7
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.
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James 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
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James 5:9
Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
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James 5:10
Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
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James 5:11
As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
Conclusion
Victory is ours through all of life’s suffering and trials, heartaches, and sorrows. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Even though we are engaged in a spiritual battle, Satan has no power over a Christian believer.
God has given us the Word to guide us, His Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and the opportunity to pray to Him about anything, anywhere, at any time.
He has also assured us that no suffering and trial will test us beyond our ability to endure, and He “puts the temptation to an end that you may endure” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
