Does God Send Us Sickness, Trials and Tests?

We need to thank God for getting us past the trials, not for putting us through them.

“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

— James 1:13-17

The words tempt and test are from the same Greek word πειρασμοῖς (peirasmois) that was used in James 1:2 in reference to trials. The devil and our bad decisions cause our problems.

God promises long life to those who obey His Word. Here are just twenty of the many verses in the Bible that show God desires a long life for you and never sends sickness or disease to teach humility or for any other false reason:

1. Deuteronomy 4:40 / So you shall keep His statutes and His commandments which I am giving you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may live long on the land which the LORD your God is giving you for all time.
2. Deuteronomy 5:16 / Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you on the land which the LORD your God gives you.
3. Deuteronomy 5:33 / You shall walk in all the way which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you will possess.
4. Proverbs 3:1-2 / My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
5. Proverbs 3:16 / Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor (read the whole chapter)
6. Proverbs 4:10 / Hear, my son, and accept my sayings and the years of your life will be many.
7. Proverbs 9:10-11 / The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.
8. Proverbs 10:27 / The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be shortened.
9. Proverbs 13:3 / The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
10. Proverbs 16:31 / A gray head is a crown of glory; it is found in the way of righteousness.
11. Proverbs 18:21 / Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
12. Proverbs 22:4 / The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, honor and life.
13. Psalm 34:12-13 / Who is the man who desires life and loves length of days that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
14. Psalm 91:16 / With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation
15. Ephesians 6:1-3 / Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.
16. 1 Peter 3:10 / The one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.
17. Exodus 20:12 / Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
18. Exodus 23:25-26 / But you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water; and I will remove sickness from your midst.  There shall be no one miscarrying or barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.
19. 1 Kings 3:14 / If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days.
20. 3 John 1:2 / Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
21. John 10:10 / The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
22. Acts 10:38 / You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

While God doesn’t cause trials, He does say in James 1:2-5 to consider it a joy whenever we face trials because they produce perseverance which causes us to be mature and complete.  He provides a way of escape, so we just need to be patient and keep our hearts and mouths full of faith that God will bring us out of the trials.