— To uplift, inform and challenge —

Dear Believer,

You’ve no doubt wondered why some people have more problems AFTER becoming believers.  You might even know a Christian who earnestly tries to live for God, but seems to face one difficulty after another.  Then there are those unsaved persons who, in spite of living in blatant sin, lead a “charmed” life.  They seem to violate every rule of God and the road with impunity.  But not you.  You forgot your driver’s license just one time, and,“WHAMO!”

Chances are, we’ve all wondered about both situations and have entertained the questions: “Why him or her Lord?” or, for certain; “Why ME?”  We must remember, the Bible does not promise that following Jesus will be trouble-free; in fact, quite to the contrary.  It’s our prayer that the following will shed some light on this and encourage you in the process.

Faith’s Fiery Trials

Why do saints often suffer more than the unsaved?

(Trials) "... 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 honour when Jesus Christ is revealed." — 1Pet 1:7 NIV

The Spirit highlighted this scripture one June evening in 1976 while I was visiting a monestary, high in the Sangre de Christo (Blood of Christ) mountains of New Mexico.  Although my new marriage and emotions were in shambles, two months prior I had the marvelously wonderful, unbelievably good fortune to have been born-again.  Such mixed emotions!

In the ensuing weeks, months and 30 years, this faith-refining, God-glorifying verse has become a vital part of my walk — in fact, the backdrop against which all believers live out their lives for Christ.

Why are saints tried?

Because God loves His kids!  He’s a fantastic Father Who knows what’s best for each of us.  Further, He’s preparing His children (body of Christ) for their roles in His eternal, heavenly kingdom; not to mention, for responsibilities in the imminent next age; the 1000-year (millennial) reign of Christ here on earth.  The trials of today are entirely necessary to groom us for a future vastly more valuable than any treasure this world or temporal life can possibly offer.

The verses prior to our text are pregnant with praise, hope and assurance as the Spirit reminds of God’s mercy in regenerating us by Christ Jesus; the certainty and security of our heavenly inheritance; the role of our faith, AND the guarantee of God’s temporal protection: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time" — 1Pet 1: 3-5.  Wow!  If that doesn’t get you going, you need to check your vitals; this is vastly better than a paid-up, million dollar whole-life insurance policy.

Having noted man’s singular contribution to it all: faith (vs 5), the Spirit elaborates in 6-7 on its honing dependence upon trials.  He explains how vital trials are to the sweep of God’s plan for our lives and the role they play in our glorifying Jesus.

Trials and faith

"In this (eternal blessings) you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. Note the “little while,” referring to the shortness of this life compared to the next and how suffering, grief and trials are made to seem almost inconsequential.  But they really are, though while in their grip they can dominate the scene — so the Spirit prompts us to a longer view with the explanation of verse seven, our text: "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 honour when Jesus Christ is revealed."

First, scripture tells us that, "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Heb 11:6) and here we learn that He values the genuineness of our faith.  So He allows for its refinement: the fire of suffering, grief and trials.

How about yourself? can you recall a time of suffering which you now look back on with thanksgiving because it helped temper your faith?  I think it’s fair to say that, anyone who’s been walking with the Lord for awhile, can give such testimony.  As our text suggests, such experiences are not unique; they are a divinely permitted part of the maturation process.  For sure, while in the midst of testings, it’s not quite so easy to see the bright side and praise God for the opportunity.  However, if we hold to the biblical fact that God loves us and will never fail us, we can more easily endure life’s fiery trials as our faith is progressively tempered.

Trial Preparations

Supposing every winter was as sunny and mild as this?  Would we not likely become complacent regarding preparations to deal with freezing temperatures, ice and snow?  In fact, as I write, many on the east coast are struggling to cope with the “Blizzard of ‘06” which just dumped two feet of snow on NYC.  TV news showed people scrambling to buy tire chains, snow shovels and blowers.  After enjoying spring-like weather right up ‘til that “nor-easter” blew in from the Atlantic — many were not prepared and their lacking hadn’t been evident until exposed by this storm.  I pray not, but for some, their complacency might have proven fatal, or at the very best — disruptive.

So it is with faith.  It needs to be “in place” and ready to serve (even save) when the stormy trials of life roar in unannounced.  I wouldn’t doubt that God, in His love, wisdom and attention to detail, assures that a believer’s trials are commensurate with, and slightly greater than their faith — to prompt growth.  For myself, I can’t imagine the faith-day would arrive when I would “ho-hum” a trial.  Though I handle them with greater assurance and less fluster than thirty years ago, they continue their refining work.  We should all pray to not only be prepared and able to persevere, but that our faith will bring glory, honor and praise to our soon-returning Lord.

The Joy of Trials

Absolutely!  We’ve actually discovered joy in adversity (please read on before writing me off as loco or perverse).  Many times our faith has been painfully tested — only to later witness God’s almighty hand turn it to our good and glorify His name.  I pray those memories will never dim because they have brought us such great delight ... even joy.

How distinctly I remember crying out in the midst of a major trial: “God, if you don’t come to our rescue, we could die!” Then, as though a light bulb came on — I mused aloud: “Yeah, we could die.  Praise God!  We could die!  All this would be over and we would see our Jesus face to face.”  Diane must have thought I’d finally lost it.  She had been painfully bed-ridden for 19 days — and here I was all but dancing in the other room.

Hey, why not enjoy the trial when you know who wins?  Is there anything more thrilling than to be located exactly where God is about to manifest His greatness; to have a front-row seat?  Sure, there’s still a measure of, “Oh no!” — but in all honesty, it’s typically followed by an animated, “Praise God!”  As was the case a few days ago when the engine of our car went terminal and the neighbor’s loaner died after 700 feet.  “Praise God,” I said, “let’s see how He handles this one.”  And He will!  (Stay tuned for that praise report.)

Trials are wonderful!

Again, please hold back on the uncomplimentary names until you really understand what I’m trying to give you.  If you can embrace this view it will make life’s trials almost something to look forward to (now, that’s perverse!).  Warning: what I’m about to say is radical ... because it’s biblical: you can have joy in the midst of trials and even view them as wonderful ... if you are eager to meet Jesus.

In other words, if you view this temporal life as but a prelude (albeit important) to the better one; hey, be willing to let it go.  Why cling to second best?  "Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" — Rom 8:18.  If you are sure of being listed in the Lamb’s Book of Life and confident of your destiny, why not live out this life with unbridled faith in God?  Let it rip!  Live as though you really DO trust Him! The apostle Paul challenged the Colossians: "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving" (2:6,7).  The Lord repeatedly assures that, in the most deadly tests of our faith, we cannot help but win ... either way.

ABOUT US:  Founded in 1993, Hallelujah Living Ministries is a donation-based, non-denominational Christian outreach to uplift, inform and challenge followers of Jesus Christ.  For more information or a copy of our always-free print newsletter, please include a  postal mail address along with your comments and prayer requests. Thank you for visiting  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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