Introduction : If there were no germs in this world, how good it would be. However, there are germs, but when we overcome them, we can live a healthy life. No one likes trials, but they always come into our lives. When we overcome trials, our faith becomes strong, but when we are defeated by them, our faith is in trouble.


1. Holistic salvation that God is pleased with
    1) Three original calamities - the calamities that Adam´s fall brought
        (Ge 3:17-19; Ro 5:12; Job 5:7; La 3:39)
    2) Jesus´ redemption and The Threefold Blessing    (Isa 53:5; 3Jn 1:2)

2. To have faith grow and receive blessings
    1) Children always depend on their parents
        - However, as they grow, they become independent    (Pr 3:1-4)
    2) When we are weak spiritually, we seek God and rely on Him.
        - When we are strong and rich, we tend to forget about God and live an independent
            life    (Dt 32:18; Jas 4:14).
        - The blessing of the poor in heart    (Mt 5:3; Pr 3:5-6; Jer 29:13)
    3) Trials are necessary for us to be broken and seek God - the motive for repenting
         - When human beings face suffering, they seek God, but when suffering
            disappears, they become lazy and self-centered    (2Ch 15:2,4; Isa 55:6-7).

3. Paul´s trials
    1) Thorns given to the body so Paul would not be proud
        - the messenger of Satan: the work of beating Paul    (1Co 15:31)
    2) The answer to Paul´s prayer for healing    (2Co 12:9)
    3) Several weak things    (2Co 12:10)
        (1) Physical weakness    (2Co 10:10)
        (2) Insults    (2Co 11:23; Mt 5:11-12)
        (3) Hardship    (2Co 11:27; 2Co 6:4)
        (4) Persecution    (2Co 11:24-25; Ac 16:22-24)
        (5) Difficulty    (2Co 11:26; Ro 8:17-18)
            - In order to overcome them, Paul prayed seriously
               (Ps 50:15; Job 23:10; 1Pe 4:12-13; Ro 8:35-37)


Conclusion : When blessing does not accompany trials, it is like death. However, when the whip of trials comes to awaken us and we are broken and repent, then our trials become a true blessing to us.