Golden Nugget: As painful as difficult times can be, they can also refine our faith in God.

Daily Message:

“You may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 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.” —1 Peter 1:6–7

Peter understood the vulnerabilities of life. He knew that faith in Christ would not keep anyone from the natural experiences of pain. A sense of meaning helps us to cope as we adjust to life in relation to our experiences of pain and suffering, and our response to that pain presents an opportunity to demonstrate faith in Jesus.

Peter described faith in Christ as being of greater value than gold. But as gold is refined by fire, so too can our faith be strengthened by the trials we experience. How we cope, the meaning we place on our experiences, and our ability to continue to focus on God’s plan for our lives are living testimonies of our faith in God. People watch to see how those with faith respond to painful experiences. Resilience in spite of our pain and suffering can help others identify healthy coping strategies.

Consider This:

• In what ways have the trials you have undergone impacted your faith in God?
• What are you looking for from God and others to help you adjust to the pain and suffering you are experiencing?

Take Action:

Identify the meaning you have given to the suffering in your life. Identify how your adjustment might be different had you chosen a different perspective. Talk with trusted others about the meaning you have adopted.