“that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know” (1 Thessalonians 3:3-4).
As we face the trials and difficulties we encounter, it may seem natural to ask why God would permit such things to occur. There are few easy answers to such questions for there may be a single reason, multiple reasons, or no discernible reason to explain some of the painful things we experience in life. Yet even though it may not be possible to determine God’s purpose behind our afflictions, that does not mean a purpose doesn’t exist.
As mentioned earlier, God may sometimes allow trials to enter our lives to refine us, strengthen our faith, or discipline us. In other instances, God may use affliction to develop character or perseverance. Or perhaps God might permit such things to serve as example to others in demonstrating the right way to handle adversity.
Its also possible that God may allow us to endure various trials for the purpose of helping others who will endure similar experiences. For example, who is better equipped to help someone with a problem than a person with experience in that area? As we’re told in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”
Our conduct in the midst of a trial can also reveal much about our relationship with God. Consider the following excerpt from Jesus’ parable of the sower: “A sower went out to sow his seed… Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture” (Luke 8:5-6). This word-picture serves to illustrate those who endure the challenges of a God-honoring life for a while but eventually fall away when put to the test. Such a person is aptly described for us in Proverbs 24:10: “If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small.”
Knowing these things can help us respond to the trials of life in a Christ-like manner. As one source unequivocally comments…
“All who would live godly in this world will suffer persecution (2Ti_3:12). In fact, anyone not being disciplined or strengthened by affliction should question their relationship with Christ (see Heb_12:5-11).” (1)
(1) Paul T. Butler The Bible Study Textbook Series, Studies In Second Corinthians (College Press) [p. 16] Copyright © 1985 College Press Publishing Company https://archive.org/stream/FirstCorinthians/131Corinthians-Butler_djvu.txt