One House : 1 PeterSample

Joy in Trials

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. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:6–9 ESV

God's word never sugarcoats the reality of life in a fallen world. It says that we will all face various trials. Yet the scripture says that there’s a way we can endure these trials with joy. The immediate question that arises for anyone who has endured real trials is, "How?"

Our first thought may be that we need to try harder to be joyful. But the scripture doesn't see it that way. Joy isn't the result of effort; it's the result of faith. Peter says that it's faith in Christ that produces true joy in trials. Not only does faith benefit us, but it's precious to God, "more precious than gold." God wants us to trust him and desires that our faith would be genuine. But for something to be genuine, it must first be tested. God won’t let us settle for anything less than the real thing.