“The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but the LORD tests the heart.”
Proverbs 17:3 NIV
Precious metals are heated to burn away the impurities. God uses trials in our life to do the same thing; burn away the impurities of sin and mature us.
“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, perishes even though refined by fire- may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
1 Peter 1:6-7 NIV
1 Peter was written by Peter, a disciple, to Christians in Roman Empire who were experiencing persecution for their faith. When we read 1 Peter, we are reading how to handle life’s trials and suffering. Suffering comes to increase our faith and to test the genuineness of our faith.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:3 NIV
James, was written by Jesus’ brother, James. He is writing to First-century Christians and he is teaching them how to live for Christ. James tells us that trials are character development.
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:3-5 NIV
Romans was written by the Apostle Paul to the Jewish Christians in Rome. Romans was written to introduce Paul to the church. Paul tells us not only are trials character development, we should be happy that we are suffering, because God is using pain for His purpose in our lives.
