Why God Uses Trials to Shape His People
When I read the book of Acts, one statement always causes me to pause. After the dramatic conversion of Saul (later called Paul), God spoke these surprising words to Ananias:
“I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” (Acts 9:16)
At first glance, it seems almost shocking. We might expect God to say, “I will show him how greatly I will use him,” or “I will bless him abundantly.” Instead, one of the first things God says about Paul’s future is that suffering will be part of his calling.
That statement raises an important question for every Christian:
What role does suffering play in the New Testament?
The answer may surprise us.
Suffering Is Not an Exception—It Is Normal
One of the biggest differences between the New Testament and much modern thinking is this:
The New Testament never promises believers an easy life.
Instead, Jesus repeatedly prepared His followers for hardship.
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Paul told new believers,
“We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22)
Peter wrote,
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you…” (1 Peter 4:12)
Notice the wording.
Not if suffering comes.
When it comes.
The early Christians expected difficulties because they were following a crucified Savior.
Jesus Himself Walked the Road of Suffering
The Christian faith is unique because its Founder suffered.
Jesus was misunderstood.
He was rejected.
He was betrayed.
He was falsely accused.
He was beaten.
He was crucified.
The pathway to resurrection first passed through the cross.
If we follow Christ, we should not expect a radically different journey than our Master experienced.
Jesus even said,
“Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.”
Paul Became Living Proof
No one illustrates this better than Paul.
After Acts 9, his life became a catalogue of hardships.
He experienced:
- Imprisonment
- Beatings
- Stonings
- Shipwrecks
- Hunger
- Sleepless nights
- Rejection
- False accusations
- Constant danger
- Eventual martyrdom
Yet listen to how Paul viewed suffering.
“Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
What incredible perspective.
Paul didn’t minimize pain.
He maximized eternity.
God Uses Suffering to Shape Character
The New Testament teaches that suffering is one of God’s greatest tools for spiritual growth.
James writes:
“Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials… because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
Romans says:
“Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
We naturally pray for patience.
God often answers by giving opportunities to develop patience.
We pray for deeper faith.
God often allows situations where faith becomes necessary.
Character is usually forged in adversity, not comfort.
Suffering Makes Us More Like Jesus
One of God’s greatest goals is not simply making us happier.
It is making us more like Christ.
Paul wrote,
“I want to know Christ… and participate in His sufferings.”
He also wrote that believers are
“predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.”
Suffering has a way of stripping away pride, self-reliance, and worldly ambition.
It teaches dependence upon God.
Suffering Gives Us Credibility
People often listen more carefully to those who have suffered well.
Someone who has walked through cancer can comfort cancer patients.
Someone who has buried a spouse understands grief differently.
Someone who has survived failure can encourage those who are discouraged.
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1 that God comforts us so that we can comfort others.
Our deepest wounds often become our greatest ministries.
Suffering Keeps Us Humble
Paul experienced extraordinary revelations.
Yet God allowed a “thorn in the flesh.”
Three times Paul asked God to remove it.
God answered,
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
Paul concluded,
“When I am weak, then I am strong.”
Weakness often becomes the platform where God’s strength shines brightest.
Suffering Advances the Gospel
Throughout Acts, persecution never stopped the Church.
It spread it.
When believers were scattered from Jerusalem, they carried the gospel everywhere they went.
Paul wrote many of his greatest letters from prison.
Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon were all prison letters.
God often uses what Satan intends to destroy us to accomplish His purposes.
Suffering Produces Eternal Perspective
Comfort has a way of making earth feel permanent.
Suffering reminds us that we are pilgrims.
Paul says,
“Our citizenship is in heaven.”
Peter calls believers
“strangers and exiles.”
The harder this world becomes, the more believers long for the next.
Not All Suffering Comes Directly From God
The New Testament also teaches balance.
Some suffering comes because we live in a fallen world.
Some comes from sickness.
Some comes through persecution.
Some comes from poor choices.
Some comes because of spiritual warfare.
God is not the author of evil.
Yet He is able to redeem every hardship for His glory and our good.
As Paul assures us,
“In all things God works for the good of those who love Him.”
We Never Suffer Alone
One of the most comforting truths of the New Testament is that Jesus walks with us.
The Holy Spirit is called our Comforter.
God promises,
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
The Lord who asks us to endure suffering also supplies the grace to endure it.
Looking Beyond Today
Paul probably suffered more than any other New Testament leader.
Yet he also experienced some of the deepest joy.
Near the end of his life he could confidently say,
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
His suffering had not defeated him.
It had refined him.
That is the New Testament pattern.
The Christian life is not one of avoiding suffering but of trusting Christ through it.
One day every tear will be wiped away.
Every injustice will be made right.
Every burden will be lifted.
Until then, we follow the example of Jesus, remembering the words of Hebrews:
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus… who for the joy set before Him endured the cross.”
Final Thoughts
Acts 9:16 reminds us that following Jesus is costly, but it is also glorious. God never wastes the pain of His children. He uses suffering to deepen our faith, shape our character, strengthen our witness, and prepare us for eternity.
We should not seek suffering, nor should we fear it. Instead, we can trust that the God who called us is also the God who sustains us. As we endure faithfully, we discover that His grace truly is sufficient, His strength is made perfect in weakness, and His promises are stronger than our trials.
The road of suffering is never easy, but in the New Testament it is often the road where believers come to know Christ most deeply and display His glory most clearly.
