WHAT THE BIBLE & OUR FAITH DOCTRINE SAY ABOUT

TESTS, TRIALS & TRIBULATIONS

 

During His three year earthly Ministry, Jesus often spoke about the certainty of trials and tribulations by which we would assuredly be tested. He spoke more clearly about how we are to respond to the hardships when they come. As with everything else our Savior has taught us, His perfect counsel is "upside down" in comparison to that of the world. How we handle difficult issues is no different. We're not to walk around moping or lamenting while undergoing hardships, but to count them pure joy. We're told many times throughout the Good News to "be not afraid" or "do not fear," but instead to be steadfast in our faith and to shine our light to those around us.
 
We're supposed to different and how we endure hardships is a sure fire manner in which to attract non-believers around us to Christ. They will hunger for the peace we exhibit during trials. However, the opposite is just as predictable. For example, German philosopher and cultural critic Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) was quoted as saying, "I might believe in the Redeemer if His followers looked more redeemed." We have a Savior who has paid a ransom for our souls. Let us rejoice and be glad by placing our unfailingly trust in our Redeemer- not just during the good times, but always.

Listed below in Canonical order are dozens of Holy Scriptures relating to tests, trials, tribulations and hardships. Clicking any Scripture link takes you directly to that link in the New American Bible. Listed after the Scripture links are Faith Doctrine resources.
 
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Exodus 14:13-14,  Joshua 1:9, Job 1:6-12, Job 5:19, Job 14:1-2, Psalms 23:4-5,  Psalms 34:17-19,  Psalms 57:2,  Psalms 68:2-3,  Psalms 91:7-10, Psalms 110:1-2, Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 10:22, Isaiah 8:12-13, Isaiah 41:10-13, Isaiah 43:1-3, Isaiah 54:17,  Joel 3:5.

Matthew 5:10-12, Matthew 5:38-42, Matthew 10:16-23,  Matthew 10:26-33, Matthew 24:9-14, Matthew 24:15-28, Mark 13:9-13, Luke 9:5, Luke 10:10-12,  Luke 21:12-19, John 14:16-18, John 14:27, John 16:1-4, John 16:33, Acts 13:50-52, Acts 14:22, Romans 5:1-5, Romans 6:23, Romans 8:18, Romans 10:13, Romans 12:12, Romans 12:17, Romans 15:1-6, 1 Corinthians 3:12-13, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, 2 Corinthians 5:1, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Philippians 4:6-7, Philippians 4:13, Philippians 4:19, Colossians 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 3:1-8, 1 Thessalonians 5:15, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 2:10, Hebrews 11:17-18, Hebrews 12:7-8, James 1:2-4, James 1:12, James 4:7, 1 Peter 1:6-7, 1 Peter 3:10-12, 1 Peter 3:13-17, 1 Peter 4:12-19, 1 Peter 5:8-10, 2 Peter 1:19, Revelation 12:14.

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2nd EDITION

Test(s)
 
the Church perfected by great trials, 769
the Church's ultimate trial, 675-77
discernment between trials and temptation, 2847
faith put to, 164, 272
fortitude in facing difficulties, 1808
hope as a source of joy in tribulation, 1820
Jesus tested by Satan, 538, 2119
patiently bearing trials, 901, 1508
 
Tribulation(s)
 
Beatitudes sustain hope in the midst of, 1717
and filial trust, 2734
and fortitude, 1808
and hope, 1820
necessary for entering the Kingdom of God, 556