Question
in the Baha'i Faith what role do trials play? Do they purify us
spiritually and are they seen as good in that sense? Are they sent from
God or not? How can we best overcome trials? What do the writings
say about this?
Below is something that the Master wrote on this subject.
You
must not be sad. This affliction will make you spiritually stronger. Do
not be sad. Cheer up! Praise be to God, you are dear to Me, I will tell
you a story:
A certain ruler
wished to appoint one of his subjects to a high office: so, in order to
train him, the ruler cast him into prison and caused him to suffer much.
The man was surprised at this, for he expected great favours. The ruler
had him taken from prison and beaten with sticks. This greatly
astonished the man, for he thought the ruler loved him. After this he
was hanged on the gallows until he was nearly dead. After he recovered
he asked the ruler, 'If you love me, why did you do these things?' The
ruler replied: 'I wish to make you prime minister. By having gone
through these ordeals you are better fitted for that office. I wish you
to know how it is yourself. When you are obliged to punish, you will
know how it feels to endure these things. I love you so I wish you to
become perfect.'
"Even so with
you. After this ordeal you will reach maturity. God sometimes causes us
to suffer much and to have many misfortunes that we may become strong in
His Cause. You will soon recover and be spiritually stronger than ever
before. You will work for God and carry the Message to many of your
people."
(Words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on October 10, 1912 to Mr. Tinsley who was recovering from an accident in San Francisco, California: Star of the West, Vol. IV, No. 12, p. 205)