So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 1 Peter 1:6
Every person, at one point or another in his/her lifetime, will experience blessings and trials. It is the fortunate and unfortunate fact of life. We all relish blessings: the birth of a baby, a job promotion, a well-accomplished task, a vacation, a good health report, etc. Almost no one likes a problem: death, broken vows, a bad grade, failure, the loss of a job, etc.
Jesus Christ was not exempt from both blessings and trials. He had loving parents and friends. He had clothes to wear and food to eat. In contrast, Jesus was bullied and mistreated. He also suffered great agony.
We must ask ourselves these two questions: 1. Do my trials cause me to become cynical and bitter, or do they help me to grow in Christ? 2. Do my blessings cause me to be prideful, or am I more appreciative towards God?
In all things we should acknowledge God. He can help us to be joyful even through times of suffering. He can help us to be humble as He pours out His blessings on us. God can use both good and bad to bring about a heart that is usable for His Kingdom.
If we stay true to the course of Christ, we will see this: blessings feel good, but trials bring the true eternal blessing of spiritual growth. 1 Peter 1:7 goes on to say, “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”
Blessings and trials run parallel and cross over each other to make for a bittersweet, colorful life. As Christians, we need to experience both of these with grace, fortitude, humility, and thankfulness, knowing it will bring us praise, glory, and honor. Yet we know that all praise, glory, and honor we receive belongs rightfully to God.
Dear Father, Thank you for both our blessings and our trials. Through Jesus I pray, Amen.
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