Why do Christians have trials?

Why do Christians have trials?

To glorify God: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were thrown into the furnace unharmed to show Nebuchadnezzar that God was able to deliver them. Daniel 3:16 & 24-25 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” - Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”

Discipline for known sin:  “For whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.”  Proverbs 3:11-12 also Hebrews 12:5-11

To prevent us from falling into sin: “Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” 1 Peter 4:1-2

To keep us from pride: “A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in the Spirit will retain honor.” Proverbs 29:23

To build faith: “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6-7

To cause growth: “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:3-5

To teach obedience and discipline:  The Lord has just told Ananias to go get Saul of Tarsus and Ananias is frightened. “But the Lord said to him ‘Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake’.”  Acts 9:15-16

To equip us to comfort others: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

To prove the reality of Christ in us: I heard a cute little anecdote to explain this concept – If you squeeze a lemon you get lemon juice. If you squeeze an orange you get orange juice. If you squeeze a Christian you should get Christ. “ . . . We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not forsaken, . . . that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-11

For testimony to angels:  “To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.”1 Peter 1:12  also Ephesians 3:8-11