“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” 1st Peter 1:6

Why do we face problems and heart-aching situations in our lives? The answer is this -struggles and problems always get you ready to focus on God and his plans. Typically we focus in our little world, don’t we? We want to be comfortable and we like all going as planned and good. As long as all going well with you, you only focus on you and your life. Then God comes and wrecks your plans. You would wonder why this all happened.

Then is the time to listen to what God has to say. Believe he can wreck your plan to implement His plan in your life. He can do it even if you like it or not.

When you are faced with issues and problems, do not think they are bad in itself. God would prepare and navigate you through it for a future that He has in mind if you stick with him through it all. You see God never leaves his child alone. Jesus said and it is recorded in Matthew 28:2 “Surely I am with you always until the end of the age.” He promised his presence with you no matter what you are going through.

Our insight says, “In all this, you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” In what you greatly rejoice? The verses before say God has mercy toward you. In his mercy, he gives you new birth to his heavenly family. He gives new hope because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. You have an inheritance in heaven kept for you that would never perish, spoil or fade. Now when you live on this earth, you are shielded by God’s power until the last day when your salvation would be fully revealed in a glorified body like the body of Christ.

You see, you have a new birth, new hope, an inheritance that would never perish, spoil or fade is kept for you in heaven, your full salvation would be complete when you get a glorified body in the appearance of Christ. In this, you rejoice even though you would be faced with various trials and suffer grief.

The trials and pains come with a divine purpose. The purpose is you would prove the genuineness of your faith in Christ. The value of the genuineness of your faith is much more than purified gold. Gold becomes more attractive, purified and precious when it is refined in the fire. Your faith in Christ and testimony of your genuine faith is more precious and valuable than even the refined, purified and costly gold. Finally, God gets you ready to receive praise, glory, and honor.

I know it is hard now. However, the Word of God says your trials and pains have more worth than the gold refined by fire. Finally, it brings praise, glory, and honor for you throughout eternity. James says chapter 1:12, “blessed is the one who preserves under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” If you love the Lord, you will be around Him. You would stick with him through your tough times.

The Gospel of John 6:66-69 says when difficulties came upon them, many disciples turned back and no longer walked with Jesus. Jesus asked the twelve disciples this, “do you want to leave too?” Simon Peter answered and said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

In the crucible experiences of life, may this be your answer as well? Remember, you have many things to rejoice in Jesus, though for a little while you may have to suffer the grief of different trials.

Father in heaven, I thank you that I am not alone in it. You promised your presence with me always. Lord, I want to be close to you and understand your plans and purposes in my difficulties. Help and strengthen me, Lord. I need you every moment of my life. I believe I can face all with Jesus Christ who strengthens me. I believe Christ died and rose again for all of my sins. I believe by believing and accepting Christ, I become your child and you write my name in the book of life for everlasting life. In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen.”