"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." 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV)
After the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Apostle Peter told the scattered Christians who were being persecuted by the Romans and the Jewish religious leaders, that for a little while they would have to suffer. However, the suffering, trials, and tribulations were part of a process that would test their faith and make them stronger, better Christians, just as gold is refined and purified by fire.
Today we can be assured that we will have troubles and that they will come in many forms, family, relationships, employment, finances, sickness, and the death of loved ones. We need to know that our troubles are temporary, they will only last for a season. We need to understand that our troubles, trials, and tribulations are only tests of our faith to see if we will persevere or give up. Finally, we need to remember that we will triumph over our troubles if we keep the faith. Jesus has already overcome the world and if we believe we will also overcome. (1 John 5:4) If we keep the faith, we are on our way to hearing, "Well done, good and faithful servant ..." (Matthew 25:23) "We've come this far by faith..." don't give up now.
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