A trial is a time of difficult circumstances that test you in different ways and make you get in touch with what is at your core, often revealing what is unmerciful and ugly or weak. It's an opportunity for transformation for the better: walking with God with increased trust in and dependence on Him, having stronger faith in God so as to really "walk by faith and not by sight," and reflecting more perfectly to others who Jesus is.
Tribulation is suffering due to people's hostile actions or passive-aggressive behavior against you as they make you their target in some way. For a Christian, tribulation in the world is guaranteed precisely because of one's faith as promised by Jesus.
Select scriptures
-on trials: James 1:2-4; Romans 5:3-5; 1 Peter 1:6-7; 1 Peter 4:12-19.
-on tribulations: Luke 6:22-23; Matthew 10:16-22, 34-36; John 15:19-21; John 16:33; Acts 14:21-22; 2 Corinthians 1:8-11; Philippians 1:29; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-7; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12-19.
There may be overlaps in one's mind as far as those definitions go and the scriptures that refer to them. So, trials and tribulations are often mentioned together. And for a servant of God, a trial or test may be part of any tribulation that is suffered.
See also:
Original picture by EliasSch on Pixabay.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment