Depending on our response, adversity or trials can be God’s greatest means of building faith or it can be an avenue for discouragement and self-pity. Faith in adversity cannot be polished without friction, nor can it be perfected with trials.
The apostle Paul spent over half his life serving Jesus, and yet he experienced suffering. It doesn’t seem fair does it? Why would God let one of His servants go through so much pain? We may be asking ourselves the same question because of things we face today. Many people believe the Lord should prevent hardship, but He doesn’t necessarily do this in this life.
Maybe our reasoning is backwards. We may think we are faithful followers of God and we don’t need to suffer, but suffering aids in the development of faithful people. If we all had a life without trials or pain, would we really know God, because we would never need Him. Adversity teaches us more about God, than simply reading the Bible ever will. If what we believe is never tested by adversity, it remains head knowledge. God gives us opportunity to apply scriptural truths to the difficulties we face, and in the process, we find Him faithful. For example, how could Paul have ever known the strength of Jesus if he had never been weakened by persecution, pain, and adversity?
Adversity can either build our faith or lead to our discouragement. If we believe what scripture says, and apply its principles to our situation, our trust in God will grow. That way, our faith will be strengthened through adversity.
From Pity to Praise 