In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 1:6-7)
Who likes trials? … Not me.
I’m not sure what it is but lately (especially last 2 months-ish) I’ve been meditating on so many verses regarding trials and suffering. It seems to be a running theme. My friend has asked me about 2 weeks ago, “What’s your trigger?” My mind started to run wild and I was thinking about ALL the things that ticks me off. The very first one being fear of pain/suffering.
Is comfort my idol?
There are so many verses in the bible that talks about trials and persecution. Because Jesus went through so much of that, we are to take up our cross daily and walk with him. (Matthew 16:24)
But oddly God pairs up the word “trials” with words like “JOY”
When I think of trials, there is nothing truly joyful about it. It is quite dreadful to just think about all the suffering we need to go through. I want to be joyful at all times regardless of my circumstances, because the God of all heavens loves me and is my father. He lives in me! If that does not make you joyful, I don’t know what does. But when situations in front of us gets dire or frustrating, we immediately start complaining and asking God to take that suffering away from us. I wish I was more like Jesus, who can endure such excruciating trials and suffering, yet displaying the perfect obedience.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1: 2-4)
Trials tests your faith, and faith produces perseverance. Perseverance produces maturity. We will become more and more Christlike with these trials. When we truly focus on the end goal, of us being complete in heaven, with God, we will be able to rejoice even the worst suffering.
Bible Daily 