1 Peter 1: 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
It's hard to understand how going through difficulties can be a positive influence that strengthens your faith and adds a permanent quality to your life. That is the assertion of Peter and many Christian writers since him. C.S. Lewis wrote The Problem of Pain to explore what he calls the "redemptive aspects of human suffering". The idea is that we share in the suffering of Christ and learn to depend on his consolations. Our faith in Jesus is made stronger in the process. We don't seek pain on purpose but when we go through it we find our Savior is right with us. We sing, "Jesus keep me near the cross" to remind us that it was through a cross that we were given salvation. That is more precious than gold.
We pray that all those who endure suffering might turn to the cross and find relief. Amen.
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