Seasons of Suffering

“Ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations” (1 Peter 1:6).

All that God plans and performs in this life is in view of what He has in store for us in heaven. He is preparing us for the life and service yet to come. Nobody yet knows all that is in store for us in heaven, but this we do know: life today is a school in which God trains us for our future ministry in eternity. This explains the presence of trials in our lives—they are some of God’s tools and textbooks in the school of Christian experience.

Peter illustrated this truth by referring to the goldsmith (1 Peter 1:7). No goldsmith would deliberately waste the precious ore. He would put it into the smelting furnace long enough to remove the cheap impurities. Then he would pour it out and make from it a beautiful article of value. It has been said that the Eastern goldsmith kept the metal in the furnace until he could see his face reflected in it. So our Lord keeps us in the furnace of suffering until we reflect the glory and beauty of Jesus Christ.

—From Pause for Power by Warren W. Wiersbe.

“Affliction may be lasting, but it is not everlasting.” —Thomas Watson