“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 1:7.

No one desires to experience or endure constant or excruciating pain- but the Apostle Peter contends that our faith is tried with fire. There are only two reasons that a metallurgist applies fire to metals, one is to test them, and the other is to cleanse them to be analyzed or perfected.

God is the master metallurgist of our souls, He knows just what it takes to perfect, mature, and refine us to be presented faultless before Him at the appearing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “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 1:7.

The trials and tribulations that we encounter may seem much more than we can bear at times…but they have a far more lasting effect on our faith, our character and relationship with God; that is why the Apostle Peter wrote that the trial of our faith is much more precious than gold that will one day perish.

Though undesirable and hurtful, these things come to strengthen us, removing unbelief and making our faith stronger and more valuable – resulting in our lives bringing praise, honor and glory to God. The Apostle Paul also wrote these comforting words: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” 2 Corinthians 4:17. 

There truly is purpose in our pain, the trials and temptations that we endure has a divine purpose for something far greater than we can imagine or that our mere eyes can see. Romans 8:28 states “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

As born-again believers we can agree that everything we encounter is not a feel-good experience- but what we do know by faith is that through every dark and stormy cloud, the heartache, pain and grief…God’s grace and mercy will sustain us forever!

So, though we may not always understand and there are many times that we must tearfully exclaim- Lord why so much pain… we can stand on the faithful promises of God and proclaim like His servant Job: “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10.

May God’s blessings and amazing grace be with us all.