Refined by Fire

In 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 your faith -of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Christ Jesus is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with of an expressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

I Peter 6-8

Peter mentions suffering several times in this letter. When he speaks of trials, he is not talking about natural disasters or the experience of God's punishments, but the response of an unbelieving world to people of faith. All believers face such trials when they let their light shine into the darkness. We must except trials as part of the refining process that burns away impurities and prepares us to meet Christ. Trials teach us patience and help us to grow to be the kind of people that God wants. As gold is heated, impurities float to the top and can be skimmed off. Steel is tempered or strengthened by heating it in fire. Likewise, our trials, struggles, and persecutions refine and strengthen our faith, making us useful to God for His purposes. Regardless of what you are going through today, keep looking up. God is with you.

God Bless you,

J.H