Trials and joy

1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV)
6 So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while. 7 These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

Peter is writing to Christians who have been scattered throughout the nations. Peter is preparing them for the hardships they will possibly face as they live out their Christian faith. He tells them there will be trials of faith that will take place, but these are to purify their faith, to make it stronger. And if their faith remains strong it will be something to celebrate when Christ returns.

If someone walked up to you and said, "Be joyful! Distress, suffering and pain is about to come your way.", wouldn't you think they had lost their mind? How can a person even think about joy when they are about to face horrible problems? James tells us to "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." So the joy to be found is that God is maturing us, completing us and shaping us to be more like the person he wants us to be. The trials we go through may not be pleasant or desired, but God has a purpose for putting us through those trials. Maybe you have experienced or are experiencing a test of faith. Pray that God would strengthen your faith in Him and help you endure whatever trial you face. Look for the joy of things to come, knowing that he is building and molding who you are.