The Trial Is Training You

28 Jan 2026 · 2 min

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2:28

In this sermon, the speaker urges listeners to shift their perspective on personal trials from asking "why is this happening to me?" to asking "what is God building in me?" He grounds this reframing in Romans 8:18 (ESV), interpreting present sufferings as incomparable to future glory. The speaker introduces the Hebrew term "rehoboth" to illustrate God's enlarging purpose, emphasizing that trials are not punishments but capacity‑building experiences. He contrasts common misconceptions about abandonment with biblical examples, such as David in the sheep field, to show that seasons of difficulty are formative, not wasted. The sermon then uses the historical episode of Herod’s edict to kill male infants—motivated by fear of a prophesied king—to highlight how God’s plans often unfold covertly. Despite Herod’s expectations of a regal Messiah, Jesus was born in a humble manger, demonstrating that God’s best work frequently occurs in unexpected, low‑profile circumstances. The overall message encourages believers to view trials as training grounds where God expands their abilities and prepares them for future glory.

Chapters

I need you to hear me. You need to start thinking about how your trials need to be reframed. If you're under pressure today, ask the right question. Ask the right question. Not, why is this happening to me? But, what is God building in me? Ask the right question. The Bible says in Romans chapter 8, verse 18, in the English Standard Version, for I consider that the sufferings of this present present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. God is not embarrassing you. He is enlarging you. There, there's a word, rehoboth. God is expanding you. God is giving you capacity. He is not punishing you. He is preparing you. The sheep field is not abandonment. David was in the sheep field. It's not abandonment. The season is not wasted. You are formed by God, but not forgotten. Oftentimes we go through situations and tests, and God is hiding you. Herod the Tetrarch put out an edict, released an edict that he wanted boys, male children murdered because there was a prophetic word given that the King of the Jews would arise. And because of his Insecurity, he had innocent male children murdered. But what scholars and theologians talk about, and what many believers don't know, is that Herod, after issuing his edict, he sent his murderers because surely the King of Israel has to come from blue blood. Surely the King of the Jews is a resplendent rhetorician. He speaks eloquently. He is very well educated. He has refinedness. He has wealthy clothes. Something interesting takes place. After doing this, we realize that Jesus, the Messiah that was prophesied, was not born in a palace. He was born in a manger. God does his best work covertly.