As I was finishing up last week’s post, I was trying to decide which scripture text to include at the end and I was reminded once again of how MUCH the Bible says about trials, and especially how God can use them for our good.

So, I’m going to do something a little unorthodox today, and my apologies to whomever might not agree with this!  But I want to share a portion of this scriptural wealth about comfort through trials WITHOUT the actual scripture references.  You can always go to Google and find them later if you are so inclined.

I found that reading all of these straight through without stopping to cite the reference makes the impact extremely powerful.  So just let the truth of these words wash over you and give you peace and comfort and assurance, no matter what you’re going through today.

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.  And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

“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.  Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 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. 

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.  For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”

I just feel like I’ve been wrapped up in a warm, snuggly blanket after reading this!  Pretty appropriate considering it’s a blizzard outside as I write this…

I hope you felt that, too.  Our great God IS a God of comfort and His Word reminds us of that again and again.  In that, we rejoice…

Next week, we see how God’s creation reflects an important truth about our trials.  Don’t miss it!