Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:6-9)
Enduring the trial of our faith isn’t much fun. It’s difficult. When we face challenge after challenge, issue after issue amid an already tough season, we may feel the temptation to give up.
If you are not rooted and grounded in the Word, you may not survive the full onslaught attack of the enemy.
Peter explained that those who have rooted and grounded themselves in the Word will do the following three things when going through a trial of their faith.
First, they will praise. This isn’t a shout and a dance when the answer comes. It’s praising God with the same voracity when you are walking through the fire. Praise is a problem for whatever problem is coming against you. You may say “Well, I don’t feel like praising” - do it, anyway.
Second, they will honor. Honoring God is about how we conduct ourselves during the challenge. We aren’t griping, complaining, and upset. We honor Him with our substance, with our attitude and our expectation.
Third, they will give God glory with rejoicing in joy unspeakable. We are called to rejoice because of who God is, not because of what we want God to do. We rejoice because we know God and have a relationship with Him.
Practical Application
- What do you need to do to see yourself out of the current trial of faith? Is there something you can praise God about? Is there a way you can honor Him or give Him glory during the challenge? Step out and act on your faith.