Why Trials and Testings?

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. ~1Pet. 1:7  

Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins, but sometimes the trial of extraordinary graces. Sanctified afflictions are often spiritual promotions. ~Matthew Henry

Why does God seemingly put Christians through so many trials and testings?

Remember, when God chasten you as a Christian (saved blood-washed child of God) for continued disobedience, it is His loving way to bring you back to where you left serving the Lord. God tests you to make you grow into maturity. Someone's faith to God only becomes worth until it is tested. A testing today will be a blessing in the future, as we learn what Christ meant when he said in Heb. 13:5 "...I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee," and having full assurance, knowing "...that all things work together for good to them that love God..." (Rom. 8:28). 

Here are some biblical accounts which served as examples for us to learn.

Testing Number 1: Deut. 8:2, the Nation of Israel.

"And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to PROVE thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no."

The Blessing: To give them the land of Canaan where they would have more than they could want (Deut. 8:7-10; Exo. 16:4).

Testing Number 2: Daniel and three friends, when in captivity refused to drink the king's wine or eat his provisions when they were ordered to do so. This was a tremendous testing to prove their faithfulness to God and to experience His faithfulness to them. This was a risk to their lives and those in charge of them. In Dan. 1:12, Daniel stated, "PROVE thy servants..." Daniel was a teenager at this time. What a faith!

Every Christian is going to be tested all through his or her life. After the testing always comes the blessing; then look for another testing! Testings and blessings! This is part of the Christian life. Remember 1Pet. 1:7.

Testings in our life produce the confidence we have in Jesus Christ. As what apostle Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13), so you and me TODAY can say also tha way he said almost two thousand years ago.