God Turns Trials into Gifts
**God Turns Our Hardest Trials into His Greatest Gifts
How Suffering Leads Us to Christ's True Blessings
October 22nd, 2024 / Faith Activist
When we face life’s harshest moments, we often struggle to
see God’s hand at work. For Vicky, this reality became stark when
a job interview in 1976 turned into a nightmare. Assaulted and
left for dead, she survived but was paralyzed. It’s tempting to
question how such tragedies fit into God’s plan. But it was
through her immense suffering that she discovered a deeper,
eternal healing in Christ.
The apostle Paul tells us in Romans 8:28 that for those who
love God, “all things work together for good.” But what does
“good” mean when life leaves us shattered? We often equate “good”
with comfort, health, and prosperity. Yet, God’s definition
reaches far beyond. His good is eternal, shaping us to be more
like Christ. Vicky’s paralysis was not a curse, but a path leading
her to Christ, where she found a deeper peace that earthly com-
forts could never provide. Her tragic day became the start of her
spiritual rebirth.
God promises in Scripture that He does not withhold good from
His children (Psalm 84:11). Yet, His good may not be what we
expect. As believers, we may suffer trials, pain, or loss, but
these hardships serve a greater purpose. Through suffering, we are
drawn into closer communion with Christ. We are conformed to His
image, sharing in His sufferings, as Paul highlights in 2 Corin-
thians 1:5.
In a world focused on immediate relief, we need the perspec-
tive that our present trials are “light and momentary” compared
to the “eternal weight of glory” awaiting us (2 Corinthians
4:17-18). Suffering teaches us profound truths: it reveals our
dependence on God (2 Corinthians 1:9), opens the way to share in
Christ’s sufferings, and reminds us of life’s brevity
(Psalm 90:1-12).
While healing and restoration are good gifts, they are not
always the best gifts. God’s greatest blessings are those that
endure for eternity. Vicky realized that though she lost the
ability to walk, she gained something far greater: a personal
relationship with Christ and the promise of eternal joy.
When we look at life through the lens of eternity, we under-
stand that God’s ultimate goal is our transformation. Romans 8:29
tells us that God’s purpose is to conform us to the image of His
Son. It is through suffering that we often see this transformation
most clearly. God is not primarily concerned with our comfort in
this life, but with our Christlikeness.
Does the cost of following Christ seem too high? We may
hesitate, fearing that the trials we face are too painful. But
Scripture reassures us that every trial is working toward our
eternal good. If God did not spare His own Son but gave Him up
for us, how will He not also give us everything we need to per-
severe (Romans 8:31-32)?
Vicky’s story serves as a powerful reminder that suffering
is not the end. It is a pathway to glory. As she looks forward to
the day she will meet Christ, she knows that her earthly trials
have a purpose far greater than she could have imagined.
If you are facing hardship today, take heart. God is using
it to mold you into the image of His Son. And though the road may
be difficult, the reward is beyond comparison.
Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for more
insights into living out your faith in challenging times.**
God always has a plan and knows that everyday we sin and
with that comes learning. We endure many more good days than bad
when we see how difficult it is to be a God fearing Christian
and we are blessed everyday the sun comes up and we are blessed
with his gifts.
Pray and repent each day with the final reward as your
guiding light.
Conservatively,
John
Conservativelyjohn.com 