1 Peter 1:7

"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."

The question of the ages:  Why do bad things happen to good people?  Christians moan this question day after day when adversity comes against them.  They don't want to hear what the bible has to say, they want their flesh stroked and soft and gentle words spoken to them, when in reality God wants to strengthen us through the trials of life.

It's easy to talk a good game when everything is peachy-keen.  But let that peach acquire a few bruises and it's time to trash it.  Nobody wants a bad piece of fruit and nobody wants a bumpy life.  Hellll-loooooooooo.  This is not Eutopia.  Not by a long shot.

Now hear this:  EVERYTHING that happens in our lives happens with the express permission of God.  No exceptions.  God has His plan and He's sticking to it.  If we are God-lovers, we will turn TO Him in adversity and ask Him what He wants to accomplish in our lives with this event.  Peter tells us two things: 

• God is testing our faith
• that we will give God praise and glory

From Exodus to Revelation, the bible is replete with illustrations of God testing His people.  A seamstress will pull on a seam to test the strength of the stitch, to make susre it will stay together when worn; a chef is constantly tasting his reciepe to see if all the ingredients are in there; a child is grilled in spelling to see if he is retaining knowledge.  If we are constantly being  tested in every aspect of our natural lives, why wouldn't God test our faith?  If there is a weak area, He will want to fix that to make it stronger.  God does NOT want us to fail, He wants us strong, standing tall in Him, ever ready to face the next battle.  When we pass one test, you can be very sure another will come along.  And each test makes us stronger and stronger in our faith.  And in that strength we become encouragers to those coming up in the ranks behind us.  Oh, the glory of living for Chrst!

Which, then, brings us naturally to praise and worship.  When you stop to think that God is loving us in,  because of, and through the trial, bringing you to a newer, higher place in Christ,  your spirits soar, your arms raise and your heart sings out praise and glory to the King of Kings whose love is so overwhelming that it causes you to wholly exault Him.   When you are completely in Christ, trusting Him so fully and completely, it is a natural progression from pain to praise. 

This is what the testing of our faith accomplishes; that while the storms will rage around us, we will lift our hearts in praise.  Because we know who holds the child.  Oh my, the sweet assurance of simply knowing and trusting in the strength of Jesus Christ. 

When a trial comes your way, do you rail against it, moaning and groaning and complaining, or do you go to Jesus and ask Him what He wants to accomplish in your life?  Are you trusting that Christ knows what's best for you?  Do you praise Him in your pain, looking to  Him as a small child looks to his parent for reassurce and help?  Are you growing in your faith?

Sweet Lord Jesus, give me your strength, for I have none of my own.  I need our Holy Spirit for my backbone.  Help me, my Savior, to trust in you so that I may learn and grow in the path you have set for me.  And help me, Lord, to ever praise Your Name in all things.  O Lord, my God, you are the strength of my life.  Enable me.  Amen.