Do you ever feel that you are in the "valley of the shadow of death"? It may seem that way if you have a severe trial or test. Severe trials and tests come in different ways, perhaps it is a health problem, a loss of a job, or the death of a loved one. It could be a marital problem, drug problem, alcohol problem or perhaps a battle over emotional depression or a character weakness.

And yet the Bible says to rejoice in our trials for "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).

God gives us a promise that He will not give us more than we can bear as the apostle Paul recorded: "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).

God does not promise a Christian a cushy life free of all accidents, mishaps, trials and tests. God allows such events to happen for our ultimate good. Time and chance happens to everyone, even to Christians (Ecclesiastes 9:11), but in the lives of God’s Saints, time and chance are not allowed to interfere with God’s purpose. He is aware of and ready to take action in what transpires in the lives of His Saints. It is as sure as God’s love for you that you will go through trials. "For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives" (Hebrews 12:6).

The Bible is full of examples of God’s Saints going through trials and tests. God allowed Daniel to be cast into the lion’s den before He intervened (Daniel 6:10-23). God allowed Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego to be thrown into the burning fiery furnace before He saved them. Jeremiah was not delivered from the neck-deep slime at the bottom of the cistern until he was first put down there and left to suffocate (Jeremiah 38:6-13).

The apostle Paul was not freed from shipwrecks, imprisonments, deprivations and many other hardships until he first got into them (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). These Saints, who are servants of God, came through trials, tests and hardships because it is never too late for God to act and to do His will.

God loves and cares for His true Saints and He sets His angels over them as David tells us: "For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways" (Psalms 91:11).

God’s most fervent desire is to bring us into His eternal Kingdom, the Kingdom of God, in which Jesus Christ will rule over. God may bless us in this life, but His primary concern is for our eternal welfare and He may forgo blessing us that way now, even allowing us to suffer "if need be" (1 Peter 1:6) in order to more abundantly bless us later.

God is committed to His plan that He began for the purpose of enlarging His Family, and our future is very important to God so that whatever lesson is needed in this life, of whatever it takes to help us build holy, righteous character, God will give us trials and tests to bring it about. No price is too great, He even allowed the sacrificing of His own Son, Jesus Christ, to be crucified and killed so that His Blood would cover our sins (John 3:16) and that we could have eternal life. God promises that "all things work together for good to those who love God." (Romans 8:28).

What are some things that we can do when we have trials and tests? James said: "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. {8} Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" (James 4:7-8). The first thing that we can do is to resist the Devil and how we do that is to draw closer to God. There are several ways to draw closer to God. Make sure you spend time on your knees in Prayer. If you need help in prayer, open your Bible and begin reading the Psalms. Next, Study your Bible and look at the examples of the Saints and servants of God and the trials and tests that they were involved in and how God delivered them. Read the Psalms to be inspired in how God helped David and how David praised and exalted God. Let’s notice a few examples:

"Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us" (Psalms 62:8).

"Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners. {8} The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous. {9} The LORD watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down" (Psalms 146:7-9).

"The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly" (Psalms 84:11).

A third way in drawing closer to God is to Meditate upon the Scriptures. Go out for a walk or go to a quiet place and ponder the Scriptures that you read about regarding trials and tests. The fourth way in drawing closer to God is that if your trial and test is really severe then consider Fasting for a day. (Request our free article on "The Power of Fasting).

Many of our trials and tests could be avoided if we keep our nose clean, and by that I mean, Keep God’s Ten Commandments. We must set the right example and live righteously (Psalms 119:172) and we can draw closer to God by keeping His Ten Commandments.

If we have a trial and test lets remember what to do: "Call upon Me (God) in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me" (Psalms 50:14-15).