Growing in Faith Through Trials

Reflection

I can imagine as a teacher the joy that you feel when a student finally understands something that you have taught. Especially when you may have faced the challenges of others who did not want to learn or the different difficulties that come with the classroom. And even as a parent, when your child years later takes hold of a value that you tried to teach, there is something so encouraging about that moment.

So the excitement of Paul to see the church abounding so much fills him with gratitude to God. This was a community shaped by persecution and suffering, yet despite these occurrences, they were growing in patience, faith, and love. And not just growing as some paraphrases use, but their faith was growing without measure and their love was overflowing abundantly.

Some of us may do the complete opposite and lash out instead of growing in unity. Hardship can bring out the worst in us if we are not careful. But what this church did was hold tight to what they had been taught. They let trials strengthen their faith rather than weaken it. They chose love when pressure could have pushed them apart.

This church became the example for other churches, and the apostle Paul used them to encourage believers everywhere to the glory of God. It reminds me of Psalm 92:13, which says, “Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.” When you stay planted, even in the hard things, God causes you to flourish.

And just as this church grew in faith, patience, and love, we too can allow God to work in our lives today. We can choose to stay planted in His Word, to love one another even in difficulty, and to let trials shape us into a testimony that encourages others and glorifies God.