“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” – 1 Peter 1:6-7
Reading that verse, you may respond, “Dude. Seriously?” Trials suck, and fire doesn’t sound like any fun. It’s hot and uncomfortable. But that’s a bit of the point. Experience is the best teacher. If our faith doesn’t get tested, how do we know it’s real?
If we have faith that is never tested, when it comes under stress, it can fall apart. Ready yourself for those times with God’s word, prayer and others believers around you.
Have you ever had someone ask you “Why do you believe what you believe? How do you know what you believe is real?” We know what we believe is true because of our experience and relationship with Jesus. To paraphrase Revelation 12:11: ”We will defeat the enemy by the blood of the lamb (Jesus is rad) and the word of our testimony.” Our stories, God’s intervention into our brokenness, is what opens hard hearts and broken lives to what Jesus wants to and will do in us. When we are in the trials of life, that’s what we have to hold. When we feel far away from God, we need to hold to the promises and the experiences we’ve had with him. Share those trials with each other so that we have people to hold us up. Those fires can get hot and feel as though we’re the only ones going through it. The reality is, Jesus went through it too and he was a totally boss. As this next season approaches, let’s get in His word and ready ourselves for whatever trials or fires might come our way. Let’s be the people that others can come to and ask for support. Maybe you’re in the testing of your faith now. If so, reach out and let others support you.
One of my favorite bands, Cool Hand Luke, has a song called “The Fires of Life.” When I’ve had to walk out my faith in difficult times before, I’ve held to this chorus and verses:
You will both lay down in peace, and you will sleep
Where morning dawns and evening fades God calls forth songs of joy
He’ll sing to you and quiet you with love
I know you feel
You won’t last another day
But when the fires of life arise
You will walk on through unscathed
Weeping may last for the night
The longest night of your life
But I can promise you that
Rejoicing comes in the morning
Challenge
Are you ready to have your faith tested?
Think about some difficult time in your life and how God was present. How faithful was He in it?
Practice having an attitude of gratitude.
By Sam Torres | Denver, Colorado