Trials are difficult, and during these moments, Christians are left wondering if God is still watching over them.
Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship says that people should not harbour these doubts because God is always with them.
"Trials are a bit like a cloud that may obscure the rays of the sun. When you go outside on a cloudy day, you may think the sun isn't shining. But the sun is shining. It's simply obscured by the clouds," he writes in an article for WND.
Trials happen so Christians can grow up spiritually, says Laurie. And even though it will cause a lot of pain, the pastor believes it is necessary for Christians to become more mature about their faith.
"It's like getting into shape. If you want to get stronger, you need to work out," he says. "There is no other way to do it."
Laurie adds that Christians are destined to do great things for God, but they must go through "a few valleys first" before they are ready to carry out God's mission.
"Many Christians are surprised to find that the Christian life is not a playground but a battleground. They are surprised to find they have to deal with hardship and temptation after they have decided to follow Christ," he says. "But even temptation can have a positive effect."
Laurie explains that facing temptation is like a "screening effect" since it will determine who God's true believers are. All people have fallen into the clutches of temptation, but true believers are the ones who "will want to get up again" after every nasty stumble.
And after going through all those trials and temptations, Laurie says good things await. The Bible verse James 1:12 says that Christians will be blessed with an abundant life with the hope of going to heaven: "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him."
