“We must through many tribulations
enter the kingdom of God.”
Acts 14:22

Why is it that most believers come to the Lord only through many tribulations?

Our fallen human nature doesn’t seek God. Our fallen human nature focuses our attention on ourselves, our interests, our plans, our dreams – and most people who are actively pursuing their goals and interests have little interest in the things of God. For most, it takes the frustrating of our plans, our dreams and our interests to bring God and our need for him to our attention.

The most pitiable person is the unbeliever whose life is going on as he planned and as he desired; for as long as this goes on, he remains unsaved. The most pitiable believer is he whose life is not challenged, leaving him to focus his all on his plans and desires. Even with much labor, he remains unfruitful.

Tribulations sharply focus our priorities. Without them, our lives would be just busy, busy at things that will fade away.

“Our greatest fear should not be of failure,
but of succeeding at something that doesn’t really matter.”
Dwight L. Moody

We are called to be different from those in the world. We are called to have priorities that are different from the common man in the world. Sometimes it takes tribulations to make this real to us, to draw us to establish correct priorities in light of the Kingdom of God into which we have been received.

Thank God for tribulations, for they are the tools of maturing us and teaching us what is really important as we journey towards eternity.