No difficulties: What many people get wrong about trials and tribulations

Trials and tribulations – not the same as difficulties!

Many people can think that the “trials and tribulations” written about in the Bible are the same thing as “difficulties” but they’re actually two completely different things!

Trials and tribulations are among the very most important things that exist. If we are receptive, tribulations and trials prove, exactly to a hairsbreadth, how it is with us, every time. Then we get clear evidence of how much of the life of God we have, and how much we don't have.

But there isn't one single word in the whole Bible about “difficulties!” It can't be found in the Bible, but it can be found in people because they don't believe what is written in the Bible.

Where do difficulties come from?

Difficulties arise when I react differently than God's Word says I should. I take things in the wrong way; I react incorrectly. In other words, there isn't anyone else who can create difficulties for you. That is a total misconception. It isn't true; it's a lie. No one can create difficulties for you or hurt you!

You may well ask, "Is it really possible to take everything in the right way, without exception?" Yes, everything is possible for him who believes.

Everything is possible for he who believes

Everything is possible for the one who reads, and looks very precisely at what is written, and believes it with all his heart, and loves it, and enters into it with the intention of remaining there for the rest of his life—not just hoping that it will get a little better over the course of many years.

Romans 8:28 is 100% confirmation of what we have talked about here. “And we know all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” “All things” includes everything that happens, all people, good friends and bad friends, opposers and enemies, injustice and bad treatment—everything. God pulls the strings and works so that everything is obliged to work for our best.

Everyone who talks about difficulties or who believes that he has difficulties, does not believe in this scripture.

All sin and lack of light comes from not looking exactly at what is written and believing it like a little child who doesn't understand enough to doubt—not one drop of anxiety, not one drop of discontent. What a happy life—a continuous, abundant life of happiness. What are you to do when someone does something bad to you? It's clearly written; it's as simple as A-B-C—return the evil with good. By faith you can live according to God's Word.

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man …”

Temptations come through trials and tribulations—through the unjust and unbearable things that you meet. Then you are tempted. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man …” 1 Corinthians 10:13. Everything that you meet, God has determined that you are able to bear. When you take things in the right way, it goes amazingly well.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18. The usual thing is that people think their tribulations are long—even that they are unbearable. That's how bad it can be with us because we don't believe God's Word. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment …” Hallelujah, they are light, it says! It's not a question of what you think or feel. The fact that you think differently shows that you don't believe this scripture. All tribulations are short and light.

What shall we do, friends? Believe God's Word. Faithfully follow it—there are no exceptions to God's Word. It's so easy for people to think that in their particular situation, things are different. Have you ever heard anything so brazen? When it concerns me, things are different and the Word is to be understood differently. That's ungodly, it's dreadful.

Look to the things that are unseen!

Then you have, quite simply, listened to Satan instead of taking heed to God's Word. In 2 Corinthians 4:18 the condition is given. “… while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen …” This is where the problem lies—you are not meeting the condition.

You are so occupied with the present, with the situation you are in. Then things are difficult for you; you seem to forget that God is alive. You aren't taking God into consideration; you aren't thinking at all about eternity; you aren't thinking about the salvation of your own soul. Your fixation on what is happening blinds you. In other words, you are occupied with the others. It's ungodly.

Difficulties are something you create by not living according to God's Word, by not living exclusively according to God's Word, by not thinking exclusively about what you should be doing.

You can defend yourself until you are blue in the face, but the fact is, you have demands that you want the others to live up to. To make demands is of the devil, but to love, serve and give, that is of God. To love God is to keep His commandments. If you receive this, it will result in an indescribable salvation and progress in your life, and the possibility of receiving it is open to everyone.

How we take trials and tribulations is crucial

The way we take things is the deciding factor for everything, without exception. It's possible to take everything in such a way that my happiness only increases; how I take things makes the difference—no matter what I meet.

It is never anyone else's fault that it is going so badly with me. It just simply isn't the case—and never has been. I wish you every success on this perfect way of happiness.