"Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 1:6,7)
God created the Christian life to necessitate reliance on Him. This passage (1 Peter 1:6–7) reveals one of the ways He has accomplished this. Trials strengthen our faith if we persevere. The word "heaviness" in the text is synonymous with the word "suffering." It implies that Christ receives credit, glory, and honor as a result of our faith. We should emulate Christ in how we handle the challenges of life. His name will be honored by this kind of response.
When we experience difficult circumstances, the temptation to doubt God is constant. Sometimes, things just don't feel right. When we are going through the pain of trials, it can even seem like God is withholding His blessings from us at times. However, the opposite is assured by this text. The most loving thing God does, despite how we may feel, is put our faith to the test and grow it. Why? because true faith makes us eternally rich.
The difficult experiences we encournter in life are God's invitation to get close to Him in ways that we cannot when things are easy. It is often at these times that we encounter God's grace and sufficiency in a more meaningful way. Our faith is put to the test by difficulties because He loves us and wants to have a genuine relationship with us. We can celebrate because we understand that the challenges we currently encounter on earth will soon come to an end. But the benefits of perseverance will endure forever.
Jesus Christ is the best illustration of this fact. He experienced physical, spiritual, and emotional suffering. He was without sin despite going through hardships including tiredness, temptation, and treachery. He demonstrated for us how to turn to the Father in our time of need and how to rely on the Holy Spirit when we are completely worn out.
Christ always lived for His Father's glory, with His Father's grace, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. May this faith, which is more valuable than any material possession, mark our lives.
Prayer: Father, please guide me to always retain in my mind the example of Christ. I acknowledge that the best illustration of Your goodness and grace is found in Jesus' life. In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.
