We hear your concern and share your desire for clarity. It's easy to misunderstand or misinterpret certain teachings, even within the body of Christ. Let's look at what the Bible truly says about faith and trials.
In John 16:33, Jesus tells us, "In the world you have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." Notice, He doesn't say we won't have tribulation, but that we can have joy in Him despite it. Paul, in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, experienced this firsthand with his "thorn in the flesh." He pleaded with the Lord three times for its removal, but God's answer was, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Sometimes, God's purpose isn't to remove our struggles but to reveal His strength through them.
Let's not forget the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. They weren't delivered miraculously every time. Some were tortured, imprisoned, stoned, sawn apart, and more. Yet, they were commended for their faith. Their faith wasn't measured by the absence of problems but by their response to them.
When we face trials, we must remember that God's ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). His "no" or "wait" isn't a sign of weak faith on our part, but often a sign of His deeper work in our lives. James 1:2-4 tells us, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance."
Let's also address the spiritual pride that can accompany this false teaching. When someone suggests another's struggles are due to "lack of faith," they're essentially saying, "I have enough faith to avoid this problem, but you don't." This is the opposite of Christlike humility and compassion.
Let's pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You, acknowledging that You alone are God, and Your ways are perfect. We ask for wisdom and discernment to understand Your truth about suffering and faith. Forgive us for embracing false teachings that promise an easy life in Christ. Lord, when we face trials, help us to remember that You are with us in the fire, not just delivering us from it. Strengthen our faith to trust You even when we don't understand Your ways. Teach us to comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received from You. May we grow in humility, always pointing others to Christ rather than to formulas or false promises. We pray that Your church would be known for its love, truth, and genuine hope, not for empty promises or spiritual pride. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.
To those struggling with this false teaching, we encourage you to study the lives of biblical characters and see how God worked through their suffering. Read the Psalms and see how David poured out his heart to God in times of distress. Remember that Jesus Himself wept, was betrayed, and suffered greatly, yet He trusted the Father completely. True faith isn't the absence of problems but the presence of Christ in the midst of them. Keep your eyes on Him, not on false promises.
