Whatever trial you are going through now has a purpose. Trials and temptations aren’t allowed into our lives to make us fall, but rather to make us soar like the eagle (Is. 40:31). They aren’t to defeat us, but rather that we might defeat them (1 John 5:4-5). They aren’t sent to make us weaker, but to make us stronger (Eph. 6:10).

“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)

Just as gold is purified by being put through the fire, so we are purified through testings and trials. Impurity of any sort weakens gold and keeps it from reflecting as it should. It’s been said that the refiner will keep burning the impurities out of the gold until it’s so pure that he can see his own reflection.

Do you wonder why you’re in the fire of testing today? Maybe there’s some impurity there that God wants to bring out of you, so that He can see His reflection in you. When we are in a trial, we need to recognize that God is working something out in our lives. The trial is God’s instrument to accomplish His purpose for us. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” (James 1:2-3) The word “patience” means “to stay, to abide, to be steadfast, or to stand fast”.

We need to be rooted and grounded in Him, so that our trials don’t defeat us. When we learn the art of abiding in Him under pressure, we are able to go through life without breaking under the strain. “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12)

While you are in a trial, take it straight to the Father and ask Him to show you what He wants to refine in you. On the other side of the trial, we will reflect Him more than we are now.

Father, we know it is only through the strengthening of the Holy Spirit that we can face trials and hardships with faith. We want our attitude in those times of testing to speak of Your love and Your power. We want our behavior to reflect our faith in You. We ask for Your strengthening. We ask that You work in us an unswerving constancy. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Source:

  • Life Application Study Bible
  • “Reflecting God” by Kay Smith