I remember when my wife had what I thought was a “routine” Dr. appointment. When I came home from work that day, she sat me down and said, “I have something to tell you” She told me that the doctor found a tumor and the “C” word was used in their meeting. That was the last think I expected, and the last word I wanted to hear. She was good with the diagnosis, and I found my head spinning as we considered the consequences. The good news was that they were able to remove the tumor, and all is good today, but that did not change the challenge that the initial diagnosis provided. While God may have different purposes in the trials that we face as His children, one overriding result of all trials is clear: “SUFFERING REFINES PEOPLE’S FAITH.” Genuine faith is indestructible for all eternity, because God values a fire-tested faith. All of us has faith that is mixed with improper attitudes and sinful motives, and those things need to be purged, and our true hearts revealed. The fire of difficulties and suffering tests the genuineness of our faith. If we, as believers, can trust God and rejoice when surrounded by persecution and when we cannot see the outcome or understand the reason, hen our faith has been proved genuine and will not be forgotten by God. Our genuine faith will be rewarded by praise, glory, and honor bestowed upon us by God himself when Jesus returns to judge the world and take believers home. Keep your focus on the Lord, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.
