“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 Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV)
Adversity is as normal in this life as the rising and setting of the sun. Living in a fallen world accentuates the instability of morality. Selfishness and sinfulness permeate the global landscape. Since the Fall of man, we have combated our three enemies: Satan, our flesh, and the world. Eliminate Satan and you still have to contend with the cravings of the sin nature and the gravitational pull of the world. Yet, all three enemies are alive and well.
Jesus prayed that God would protect us from the evil one (John 15:17). The enemy is at work seeking to destroy the work of God in us and the work of God through us. In the midst of the battle, God converts what the enemy meant for evil into good (Gen. 50:20). Remember, if God allows adversity into your life, He will use it for your good and His glory.
Will you grow through adversity as you go through adversity? Will you allow God to build your character and develop your faith through the assembly line of adversity? Your faith is of greater worth than gold to God. God’s goal is that your faith be proved genuine so that it may bring glory to God when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor