Trials and Tribulations

1 Peter 1:6-8 "In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perisahable even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ"

Suffering is somethat that none of us look forward to. Even in recent days, I have seen some of the people I love facing some of the most difficult things imaginable. As the God-man, even Jesus suffered...and as His children..we also at times suffer.

When I am going through a trial, it is always a comfort for me to know that I am not alone and that there is a greater purpose behind what I am going through. Romans 8:18 says "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us"

Suffering and glory go together. It seems strange. It doesn't fit what our finite minds would think about glory. It doesn't fit what our minds would believe about suffering. They would seem to be at opposite ends of the spectrum..but they go together in God's economy. God likens our suffering to the purifying of gold or silver. Neither metal is pure in its natural state. Both are mixed with all sorts of things that make them impure.

Silver and gold need to be refined before they reveal their beauty. So do we! the process of refining includes the melting down of the metal by fire, which is designed not to destroy the metal..but to bring forth its beauty!

Silver is crushed into small pieces and placed into a crucible. The silversmith places the crucible over the fire that has been prepared to just the right degree of heat, and then he watches carefully as the silver melts. Eventually, impurities rise to the top of the crucible. These are carefully scraped off by the silversmith. Then an even hotter fire is built. Once again the silver is subjected to the heat. Now, under this new intensity of fire, more and different impurities are released.

The silversmith never leaves the silver unattended in the fire, lest the silver be damaged by too much heat. Each time the fire is increased and the impurities are removed, the silversmith bends over the crucible to look at himself in the melted silver. At first, his image is dim...his face is barely discernable. However, with each new fire his image becomes more distinct. When he finally sees himself clearly, he knows all the impurities are gone. The refining is complete.
So it is with us beloved. God may allow the trial of suffering in your life. You may feel broken, crushed..in the crucible of suffering. You may feel the heat from the trial that you are bearing..but God would never leave your side as you go through..He is with you..by your side..and He is preparing you for glory. Whether you have known it or not, God has been there through every trial, pain and hurt. He has carefully watched so that you would not be destroyed.

Remember the verse for today.."In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than told which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ"

Beloved, may we all begin to see every trial for what it truly is..part of God's refining process. The question that confronts each of us is simply..how will we respond to difficulties? Will we let them embitter us, or will we allow them to transform us? Can we begin to see that God can use all that we have endured to give hope and life to others? Can we believe God..that He is good..all the time..that He cares for us..The tribulations and trials that come into our lives are not meant to destroy us...they drive us into the arms of God..and He holds us in His omnipotent hands.

God IS love..and He loves you with a love that is everlasting.