I Peter 1:6-7
In 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 your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
The LORD is very interested in perfecting our faith. It comes through various ways. We call them trials in Christian circles. We have all had them from time to time. I have been a Christian for 27 years and it has been a very interesting journey going from trial to trial. It has consisted of dealing with people, dealing with family, becoming one flesh with my husband, being a not so perfect mom, financial difficulties, church politics, being diagnosed with cancer, facing disappointments time after time. This is definitely not an exhaustive list, but just a few that come to mind. Can you relate? Probably.
1 Peter 4:12
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
I am convinced that the LORD is more interested in perfecting our faith than making sure we are comfortable. Don’t get me wrong, I know that the LORD cares for me and looks out for my well being. He has been everything I need, and I absolutely do not doubt his love for me. Saying that, I am allowed to pass through some difficult places in life. Why? He is teaching me to trust. He is perfecting my character. My faith is 100 times greater than it was even five years ago. I can say that in all honesty and humility. It is to his praise, glory, and honor that I can make that statement.
It is through these places of hurt, disappointment, and challenges that we turn to Jesus. He is the only One who can walk us safely through them. In the process we become much better humans. We actually develop compassion for others.
Numbers 14:24
But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.
Caleb was one of the twelve spies that went into Canaan to check out the land. He and Joshua were the only two that came back with a good report. They knew God was bigger and they had no doubt they could go in and subdue this land. Why? God had promised it to them years before. They simply believed God would do what he promised. This is the kind of faith and trust God wants us to have. A wholehearted trust, an undivided heart. This is pleasing to the LORD.
God simply wants our wholehearted devotion to him. To trust him with our lives completely, even when it hurts or does not make sense.
Be of good courage.
Jesus Emmanuel loves you so much that He came to give you an amazing life here and for eternity!
In 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 your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
The LORD is very interested in perfecting our faith. It comes through various ways. We call them trials in Christian circles. We have all had them from time to time. I have been a Christian for 27 years and it has been a very interesting journey going from trial to trial. It has consisted of dealing with people, dealing with family, becoming one flesh with my husband, being a not so perfect mom, financial difficulties, church politics, being diagnosed with cancer, facing disappointments time after time. This is definitely not an exhaustive list, but just a few that come to mind. Can you relate? Probably.
1 Peter 4:12
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
I am convinced that the LORD is more interested in perfecting our faith than making sure we are comfortable. Don’t get me wrong, I know that the LORD cares for me and looks out for my well being. He has been everything I need, and I absolutely do not doubt his love for me. Saying that, I am allowed to pass through some difficult places in life. Why? He is teaching me to trust. He is perfecting my character. My faith is 100 times greater than it was even five years ago. I can say that in all honesty and humility. It is to his praise, glory, and honor that I can make that statement.
It is through these places of hurt, disappointment, and challenges that we turn to Jesus. He is the only One who can walk us safely through them. In the process we become much better humans. We actually develop compassion for others.
Numbers 14:24
But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.
Caleb was one of the twelve spies that went into Canaan to check out the land. He and Joshua were the only two that came back with a good report. They knew God was bigger and they had no doubt they could go in and subdue this land. Why? God had promised it to them years before. They simply believed God would do what he promised. This is the kind of faith and trust God wants us to have. A wholehearted trust, an undivided heart. This is pleasing to the LORD.
God simply wants our wholehearted devotion to him. To trust him with our lives completely, even when it hurts or does not make sense.
Be of good courage.
Jesus Emmanuel loves you so much that He came to give you an amazing life here and for eternity!
1 comment:
We really like what you have to share. I think indeed lots of people can relate to what you wrote about trials.
Love,
Martijn and Rebekah
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