Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts

by Jerry Bridges

HOLINESS We have already seen in a previous chapter that another intended result of adversity is to cause us to grow in holiness: “God disciplines us [through adversity] for our good, that we may share in his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10). But what is the connection between adversity and holiness? For one thing, adversity reveals the corruption of our sinful nature. We do not know ourselves or the depths of sin remaining in us. We agree with the teachings of Scripture and assume that agreement means obedience. At least we intend to obey. Who of us does not read that list of Christian virtues called the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (see Galatians 5:22-23)—and agree we want all those traits in our lives? We even begin to think we are making good progress in growing in them. But then adversity comes. We find we are unable to love, from the depths of our hearts, the person who is the instrument of the adversity. We find we don’t want to forgive that person. We realize we are not disposed to trust God. Unbelief and resentment surge within us. We are dismayed at the scene. The growth in Christian character we thought had occurred in our lives seems to vanish like a vapor. We feel as if we are back in spiritual kindergarten again. But through this experience God has revealed to us some of the remaining corruption within us. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit. … Blessed are those who mourn. … Bl...