Why Such Trials?

In this, you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials (1 Peter 1:6)

Intense and prolonged suffering and trials can even bring some Christians to the point of despair. Such wish like Job that they would have been carried directly from the womb to the tomb (Job 10:19)

1. Notice the phrase ‘for a little while.’

Trials are temporary in nature. We need to constantly remind ourselves that, the “sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed” to you (Romans 8:18).

Also, we need to see that “our difficulties are the substance that produce for us an eternal, weighty glory far beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17)

2. Notice the phrase “if need be.”

Trials only come to us if they are necessary. God, in His infinite wisdom, knows exactly what kinds of trials must be designed to stimulate the growth necessary for our own spiritual health.

For example, God permitted satan to give Paul a “thorn in the flesh.” But it was for his own good and for a specific purpose so that he would not give into pride. (See 2 Corinthians 12:7–10).

3. Again, see the phrase ‘various trials’

Trials come in various shapes and sizes. Sometimes they afflict our bodies and, other times our minds. Most of the times they afflict our comfort zones and other times, our loved ones. No matter what their source, trials provide opportunities to be trained in godliness as God uses them to discipline us toward Christlikeness (Hebrews 12:6, 11).

That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:7)

God did not ordain trials to set you up for failure, but to prove the “genuineness” of your faith. Gold is considered a precious metal by world standards. To purify gold, they pass it through the fire so that impurities hidden in the gold can be separated and the pure gold retained.

Likewise, trials heat up the furnace of your faith, giving God the opportunity to purify it and prove to you that your faith is “more precious than gold” (Job 23:10).

Why Such Trials?

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