Are there any parts of the scripture that specifically refer to the idea of trials and tribulations? I wouldn't normally think about it, but my dad told me a few months ago that as a young husband he asked God for trials and tribulations. Subsequently our family went through a great amount of faith trials. My parents divorced, my brother died, my two living brothers were injured seriously and almost died, I was injured seriously when I was 5 and then again at 12. We were wealthy, then the farming business went to heck during the late 80's, early 90's and we went bankrupt.
I know every person likes to think they have it worse than everyone else, but I can safely say that we actually have had it worse than anyone I know. This personally doesn't bother me, as I don't love anyone or anything more than God. As John said:
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."
Still, I wonder if God would actually bring trials upon those that ask for it. The idea seems pretty fascinating.
I know every person likes to think they have it worse than everyone else, but I can safely say that we actually have had it worse than anyone I know. This personally doesn't bother me, as I don't love anyone or anything more than God. As John said:
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."
Still, I wonder if God would actually bring trials upon those that ask for it. The idea seems pretty fascinating.
