Trials – Tested By Fire - Knowing God's Presence in the Dark Seasons of Life

“The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the LORD tests hearts.” (Proverbs 17:3, ESV)

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, ESV)

“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” (Job 23:10, ESV)

“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21, ESV)

We can face suffering with hope – transcendent trust – and joy. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:2-3). Wait. Consider it joy?

Why would we make a conscious choice to consider it a joyous moment when we are placed under a trial? Because every struggle, trial, and moment of suffering is entrusted to you by God as a means to know him, love him more deeply, and be transformed into the likeness of Christ. We will not understand the process of sanctification unless we include a correct theology of suffering: temporal pain will come to all who follow Christ, and pain is woven into the plan of God as a means to deepen our trust in his Word, purify our hearts, and strengthen our faith (Psalm 119:67-76). Peter wrote, “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7). The heat of the crucible is necessary to test our faith, not for our destruction but for our purification. A chunk of metal ore will only be changed when it is melted, not merely warmed. Consider the questions we often ask God when facing difficulty:

What do you want me to do?

Where do you want me to go?

When do you want me to act?

But in the seasons of your greatest pain, are you willing to ask him: Who do you want me to become?

We can do the right thing in the right place at the right time and still fail to become more like Christ in the process. God’s priority is not to inform us, but to transform us.

The test you face will serve as a crucible to melt away anything that is not of Christ. Your struggle is strategic. Allow the pressure to drive you to prayer. Embrace the hard things now so that the difficult things later seem easy. Turn your woes into worship. Let the pain lead you to praise. Your loudest groans can be the seeds of your greatest growth. Consider the words of Job in the Old Testament. Though unaware of all the supernatural, behind-the-scenes workings, Job had some idea of God’s intent when he said, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold” (23:10). Likewise, our pain holds a purpose: to magnify Christ and make him known. The intensity highlights the intent.

But how can pain be used in such a deeply redemptive way? Consider the best example: Jesus. Ultimately, Jesus’ death is about bringing glory to God. While in the garden of Gethsemane, knowing that the time had arrived that he would go to the Cross, Jesus prayed, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you” (John 17:1). In suffering and dying, Jesus revealed the Father’s perfect plan for the redemption of sinners. In death, Jesus was glorified, and by his death, he brought glory and honor to his Father. In the case of Jesus, the greatest of suffering has a greater purpose than humankind could imagine. At the Cross, on the darkest day of history, we find true redemption and see the clearest revelation of the mercy and justice of God.

Reflection:

1. Name a time when a trial tested your faith. What was the result? What did you learn in the process?
2. Read Philippians 1:29. What is your first response to this passage? Does this verse require you to adjust your thinking about suffering? In what ways?
3. Read 1 Peter 1:6-7. Looking back over your life, how have the trials you have faced purified your faith in Christ?