Borrowing the lyrics of Kelly Clarkson’s song ; “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” Is this claim really true for everyone that experiences challenges and trials in life? Does everyone who experiences hardships always come out stronger?

In this life, we all face trials and problems in one way or the other. But not all are able to develop strength of character during the difficult times of their lives. In fact some trials and challenges weakens and even lead to the destruction of people’s lives. It is only when a person is positioned in Christ Jesus can he or she truly develop strength of character and strong faith in God during times of trouble and trials.

In this scripture verses, Paul reveals to us the effect of trials and troubles in the believer.

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love

Romans 5:3-5 NLT

This scripture affirms the truth that the believer always comes out stronger from trials and troubles because of their firm confident hope in Jesus Christ’ salvation.

Here is an illustration to show how trials and problems affect the the believer and the unbeliever:

Here I will liken the believer as one positioned on a solid surface (Christ) and the unbeliever as one positioned in a sinking sand (the world and self): The force of a hammer representing trials and problems that hits on the nails with equal forces and pressure. Where the pressure and force from the hammer pushes the believer to go deeper in the Lord to seek refuge, strength and hope, the believer’s faith is strengthened and fortified in the Lord. On the other hand, the unbeliever sinks deeper and deeper into the sinking sand of the world. The world the unbeliever relies and depends on, is passing away and all that is within it. All manner of issues happening day in and out. The world in itself needs saving, how then does one puts his or her hope or trust in it. An unbeliever in Christ Jesus is one with no hope, or assurance for their faith is not in God and with no God to trust and depend on, they keep sinking in the sand of all the pain, torture and stress from the trials and troubles and before the unbeliever is aware of anything, he or she is lost and gone.

As I ponder on this word of God, I reminded of the hymn by Edward Mote:

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ nameOn Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

Dear unbeliever, there is still hope for you, Christ is reaching out His hand to bring His salvation to you. It is my prayer that you will give your life to the Lord Jesus Christ and receive hope of assurance of your salvation in Christ Jesus. For it is in Christ alone that hope in Him never fails, when you abide in Christ and allow Him to be your solid ground on which you stand, you will always remain and never sink in the midst of trials and troubles of life.