Trials and tribulations - sharing by Pastor Kong

I don't have such a good memory of whatever Pastor Kong shared today, but my takeaway was this:

Sometimes, a trial or test might break you, no matter how strong you are.

But when you are broken, it is a chance for Jesus to mould you into who you are meant to be.

A trial may break you so that Jesus can remake you. 

The Bible says that God will not test us beyond what we are capable of handling, and He will make a way of escape.

I Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)

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.

But this is related to the test of temptation. I wonder if the test of faith would be a different test?

I Thessalonians 2:4 (NKJV)

But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.

James 1:3 (NKJV)

knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

II Corinthians 8:8 (NKJV)

I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.

Job 34:3 (NKJV)

For the ear tests words As the palate tastes food.

What is amazing is that even as Pastor went through the trial and the tests, even as he suffered depression for a year, even as doubts flooded his mind... He became broken before the Lord. And that was when he had the revelation of Jesus. 

So even things that are broken, Jesus can use!

Psalms 51:17 (NKJV)

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.

I Corinthians 11:24 (NKJV)

and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

Remember, Jesus own body was broken for us! So when we are broken, we remember Jesus, and that He was broken so that we can be made whole. 

Wow!!