Overcoming Trials with God’s Love and Protection
Christians know that they will endure trials in life, and while we should always rely on God, trials often bring us to our knees, leaving no alternative but to trust in God’s plan. When going through trials, Christian clothing offers an opportunity for those who know Christ to walk in the path God has laid out for them while wearing clothes that glorify him.
People are watching, and as you respond to trials, your actions reflect your connection to God. Your joyful, unwavering response to trials creates an invitation for others to know him, too. When you make a habit of wearing faith-based clothing, not only your actions but also your clothing reflect your reason to be joyful regardless of your circumstances.
Our Faithful Response
The Bible offers so much encouragement in the face of trials and disappointments. God always has a plan, even if we don’t see it or ever understand it, he has a plan that will be for our good and his glory. As we exercise our freedom in Christ, we exercise our right to be faithful to what he has promised, and our modern Christian clothing proves our reliance on God.
As humans, trusting in a plan we can’t see written on paper or documented in our calendars can be tough. We want to know when the suffering and trials will end, but faith requires that we trust in God’s plan for us and offer the following response to trials because of our deep faith in God and his ever-deeper love for us. The Bible encourages us to
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Remain hopeful. God works in our lives for his good and glory, according to Romans 8:28.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” -
Remain joyful. Trials may not seem like joyful occasions, but God needs us to keep the right perspective, remembering that our trials build our faith.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” (James 1:2–3) -
Remain steadfast. The faith-building exercise of enduring trials allows us to recall those times God was faithful through trials so that we can be firm and unwavering, remembering the love God has for us.
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12) -
Remain strong. Jesus went before us and died for us. While we can’t achieve perfection on Earth, we must stay strong through trials, understanding that our trials build our character in Christ.
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3–4) -
Remain peaceful. John 16:33 shares the words of Jesus, words that encourage us to have peace because Jesus already knew he would conquer sin and death. Because Jesus suffered and died for us, we can have peace, knowing that nothing in this world can take away our salvation in him.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” -
Remain patient. When you’re going through a trial, you just want it to be over, but the Bible tells us to be patient.
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12) -
Remain trusting. When life gets tough, remembering that God has a loving plan for us despite what we see at the moment is easier said than done, but the Bible encourages us to put aside what we think we know and trust in his plan.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5–6)
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 encourages Christians to always rejoice, constantly pray, and give thanks regardless of our circumstances because everything happens according to God’s will. That is a difficult concept for some, especially those who don’t know the love of God personally. Your response through trials can be an example to others of the love and protection God promises to us.
Our Hope
So many of the verses about trials mention hope, and while suffering in the midst of a trial, you may wonder what that hope represents. As the old hymn states, “Our hope is in the Lord.” Jesus suffered many trials on Earth, and he suffered and died for the sins of the world. Because he died and rose again, he conquered sin and death to make a way for us to go to Heaven and spend eternity with him.
We will face trials, but while we may suffer on Earth, we will enjoy eternity with God. The Bible promises this to us:
- Endurance: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
- Restoration and strength: “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10)
- Blessings: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)
Romans 8:18 puts it perfectly: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” When we read these words, our hearts should be leaping with joy to think of the glory that is to come when we meet our Lord in Heaven. God’s glory can be revealed in us on Earth while we walk through our trials with joy, sharing the gift of God with others. As a testament to God’s grace in your life, what you choose to wear, whether it be a smile of joy or your Christian-based clothing, can help connect others to the God who loves you and protects you in the midst of trials.
