Even Godly People Go Through Trials

There’s a popular myth that the more godly you are, the less problems you will have.  The more godly you are, the easier, and more comfortable your life will be.  The more godly you are, the more healthy, wealthy, and prosperous you will be.  Baloney!

Tell that to Joseph who was sold into slavery by his own brothers, falsely accused of sexual harassment and sent to prison.  

Tell that to Job, a very righteous man who lost his children, his servants, his wealth, and even his health.

Tell that to Naomi who lost her husband and two sons and was left all alone.  

Tell that to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to bow down to an idol.

Tell that to Daniel, who was thrown into the lion’s den because of his commitment to prayer.

Tell that to John the Baptist, who was beheaded for preaching against sin.

Tell that to Stephen, who was stoned to death for preaching the gospel.

Tell that to James, who was beheaded for leading the church in Jerusalem.  

Tell that to Paul, who was flogged five times, beaten with rods three times, and stoned because of his witness for Christ.  Three times he was shipwrecked.  Once he was bitten by a poisonous snake.  He was imprisoned and eventually executed.  

Tell that to Jesus, who was despised, and rejected, and slandered, and falsely accused, and eventually crucified.  

Tell that to my cousin who was born with spina bifida.  She loves the Lord but she has never been able to walk, or run, or talk, or sing, or even eat like a normal person.  

Tell that to my uncle who is a pastor and his wife left him and took their two young children because she didn’t want to be married to a minister.  He got remarried and had twin boys, but both were born handicapped, and one passed away at the age of six with cancer.  Then he had another child, a daughter, who has had her own struggles with cancer.

Did all of these people not pray hard enough?  Did they not have enough faith?  Were they not godly enough?  Or could it be that the idea that godliness results in health, wealth, and prosperity is a lie?  

Don't be shocked when you experience trials.  Instead, thank God for the times when you aren't going through trials, and get prepared for the next one.

“I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” John 16:33