The Benefits of Tribulation

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The point of this study is to arrive at an outlook concerning our mental and emotional struggles which best positions us for spiritual growth and a closer relationship with God, our Father.  Most view these kind of struggles as a negative thing, something to be avoided.  After digesting the truth of the content of this study, my prayer is that you become more thankful and hopeful wherever and whenever you encounter strong mental, emotional, psychological resistance to your well-being.

For it is at the very point of the attack, at that place in our hearts and minds where the trials or tribulations of life are making their greatest impact, that the potential for growth and strengthening is at its greatest.  Without this struggle there can be no growth.  The strongest people are those who push against the biggest weights.

And when they (Paul and Barnabas) had preached the gospel to that city (Derbe) and had taught many; they returned again to Lystra and Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.  Acts 14:21,22

(Remember that the kingdom of God is the spiritual realm where God’s will dominates).

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy spirit.
Romans 14:17

The word “tribulation” is the Greek word thlipsis and is translated “tribulation,” “affliction” and “trouble.”  Its root word is thlibo and is primarily translated “afflict” or “trouble,” but its first use is very illuminating.

Because strait is the gate, and narrow (thlibo) is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it.  Matthew 7:14

The word “strait” in this verse means “narrow,” and the word “narrow” (thlibo) could be better translated “compressed.”  Like a challenging mountain trail which is the only way to the top of the mountain, you can’t simply veer off it and expect to safely reach the top; and even though there might be dropoffs to one side, and the face of a cliff to the other, leaving you without much extra room, it’s the only way to the top.  So God tells us that its only by means of a journey which presses or squeezes us that we can enter into the kingdom of God.

Why?  Because we walk in our old ways until and unless we come to the point where our old way will simply not work anymore, and it is at that very point where spiritual breakthroughs occur.  At the point where the old man is confronted by the fruitlessness of his endeavors, where nothing in his arsenal can overcome the present foe; it is at that very point that the way and will of God, being urgently required, comes into its glory (full, unhindered expression) in our minds and hearts and lives.  It is by being thus squeezed that we can grow spiritually and manifest forth our spiritual citizenship.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation works patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope;  And hope makes not ashamed …
Romans 5:3-5a

The word in the King James “works” is better translated “works out,” like you work out your strength, your muscles, your endurance when you go to the gym.  So tribulation gets our patience going, which gets our experience (gnosis – relational experience of God) going, which gets our hope going.  In other words, what helps bring that which we spiritually hope for into the realm of reality in our lives is ultimately tribulation.  And that is why we glory in it.

To use the image of working out at the gym, imagine being out of shape and starting your journey of physical improvement.  First, you sign up (believe unto Jesus Christ), then you do your first workout.  You can’t do much, sweating is sure a novelty, and it hurts so much (especially over the next week or so); yet you experience little or no physical improvement.  Ahh!  You need patience!  So you take on a new mindset.  You realize that this journey is not going to happen all at once, so you settle in, learning to “enjoy the suck” as they say (glory in tribulation).  You learn to enjoy the physical discomfort and exertion, patiently waiting for the growth.  And so you begin to experience real gains in your strength and endurance, becoming stronger in very measurable increments.  And as that happens, the expectations (hope) which initiated this journey, becoming reality, are thus justified (no shame).

At the point of attack, where the fruitlessness of the sinful man is coming up against the call to victory of the spirit of Christ, that’s where real breakthrough into God’s kingdom occurs; where our identity changes from carnal to spiritual, where vanity is replaced by thankfulness, weakness is replaced by spiritual strength and confidence, selfishness is replaced by love, and darkness is replaced by wisdom and spiritual understanding.  Victories occur at the points of attack.

It’s our flesh which is squeezed, not the spirit of Christ.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace.  In the world you shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.  John 16:33

Are you becoming aware of your inability to really love your wife and children amidst all your selfishness and sin?  Praise the Lord!  Go to the well of Christ and see what strength, what wisdom, what understanding he can supply you with.  Are you tired of being beaten down by your fear and depression?  Know that it is where you feel Satan’s attacks the strongest that the victory of Christ in your life will be greatest.  Are you frustrated continually by your giving in to anger and arguing?  Lay that frustration down at the foot of the cross and expect to see God raise up a new man in you which is completely unaffected by what used to anger and consume you.

Our spiritual growth occurs little by little.  It is simply not an “all or none” thing like many Christian churches teach.  At those specific spots where you feel your weakest, it is there, right there in that psychological, mental, emotional squeezing that you finally give up your old way and reach forth unto the high calling of God in Christ Jesus,  where you confront Satan’s afflictions which have dominated you for so long, where you grow to become like spiritual teflon to his attacks.  It is in that pressure where you refuse to go back to your old way, instead demanding of God that what He has promised for you become yours in practice and in reality in your life.  And that is when it happens, when and where it needs to happen!

So at your next point of attack, where the squeezing of the trials and temptations of the old man are meeting the promises and calling of the spirit of Christ, be gloriously thankful, because such a squeezing can only occur because you have been called to something greater, and you will never again be satisfied or content by the world’s offerings.  That hope which sprang up in you and turned you away from your own lack when you first believed will continue to bring the experience of God into your heart and life as you patiently endure the sinful man being squeezed out of you once and for all.

And he (the Lord) said unto me, My grace is sufficient for you; for my strength is made perfect in (your) weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities (weaknesses), that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches (shame, dishonor), in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then am I strong. 
II Corinthians 12:9,10

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Other related studies:
The Yoke of Humility and Meekness
Holy Spirit Sanctification
The Obedience of Faith
Learning to Recognize the Voice of God