Explore how God refines Christians through affliction, and deepen faith. Learn the divine purpose behind your trials and spiritual growth.
💡 Comfort in Affliction Blog Series
If you missed Episode 1: Christians and Affliction: Finding Strength in Christ, you can catch up here:
In that first episode, we explored why believers still face trials, suffering, and opposition—even after salvation. We saw how affliction is not a sign of weak faith but an essential part of Christian life.
The greater our commitment to Christ, the fiercer the opposition may become. But those experiences are opportunities: chances for our faith to strengthen, for character to grow, and for God’s victory to be revealed in us.
Now, in Episode 2: How God Refines Christians Through Affliction, we go deeper. We examine how God uses those trials—not just to test us, but to build something greater: steadfast faith, spiritual maturity, and a character molded by His loving hand.
How God Refines Christians Through Affliction: God’s Purpose
As believers, we often misjudge ourselves in the face of hardship. When trials come, we begin to doubt our standing with God. “Am I still a Christian?” we ask. “Why am I going through this?” But according to the teaching of Prophet T.B. Joshua, our suffering is not a sign of God’s rejection — it’s often proof of His divine refinement process.
Jesus knew Peter would deny Him, yet He also knew Peter would repent. That’s the heart of divine mercy. Your faith might shake under pressure, but it won’t disappear — because it’s your root. That seed of faith remains, even in failure. As T.B. Joshua said, “Your faith may fail but not fall off.”
This means that affliction is not always a result of sin, nor does it separate us from God. Instead, it is often a tool used by God to bring out what is pure, just like fire separates gold from dross.
✨ Watch the sermon by TB Joshua on this truth: “The Hidden Truth“.
You are not Out of Touch
Citing John 16:33, Jesus reminds us that in this world, we will have trouble — but in Him, we have peace. Affliction isn’t the absence of God’s presence; it’s often the evidence of it. T.B. Joshua put it this way:
“The touch of the devil will only strengthen your desire and determination for God.”
This completely reframes our thinking. That sickness, disappointment, or delay is not meant to destroy you — it’s there to deepen your walk with God. A man can be sick and still be a friend of God. He can be poor and still be a candidate for Heaven.
True Christianity is not proven by prosperity but by perseverance. It’s easy to feel strong in faith when everything is going well. But it’s in the fire — in sickness, in financial lack, in rejection — that the impurities are burned away and the pure gold of faith is revealed.
As T.B. Joshua said:
“Your situation separates impurities and allows the character of God to grow in your life.”
This is how God refines Christians — not by removing affliction, but by using it.
How God Refines Christians Through Affliction
Hebrews 5:8 tells us that Jesus learned obedience through what He suffered. If even the Son of God underwent refinement through suffering, how much more will His followers?
T.B. Joshua warns:
“Oftentimes, we run from the very things that will bring strength to our lives.”
We must not dodge pain or hardship, because doing so delays the work God wants to do in us. Growth in character comes through obedience — and obedience is proven in affliction.
It’s a trap of satan to make you believe that your hardship means you’re no longer a child of God. Your circumstances are not your identity. Your failures do not redefine your faith.
“What is happening to you cannot take your position as a child of God.” — T.B. Joshua
Instead of being a mark of spiritual failure, trials are tests meant to promote you. Every temptation, every loss, every disappointment is a chance for your faith to rise — and for God’s character to be formed in you.
Final Thoughts: Faith That Endures
Don’t let your situation define your faith. Let your response to trials define it. You may be touched, but you won’t be destroyed. You may fall, but you will rise again. Why? Because God is more interested in your growth than your comfort.
So next time you face affliction, remember: You’re not being cast aside — you’re being refined.
“Temptation will come to touch you; trials of any kind will come to touch you — but they cannot impair you.” — T.B. Joshua
✨ Stay tuned for Episode 3 on the comfort in affliction, where we explore what we need to do when going through trials.
✨ Missed other series?
Read it and begin your journey.