Beauty From Adversity

We get this wrong so many times. We need to understand why Christians face adversity. It's important. #BibleLoveNotes #Bible

“Until Christ returns, the believer must go through testing. A faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted.” Warren Wiersbe

We often think Christianity means a trouble-free life. And when I say "we," I’m talking about me.

I know God doesn’t promise smooth sailing in life (John 16:33); but when adversity strikes, I sometimes get confused and disheartened, asking all the wrong questions.  

That’s because I forget that adversity is a good and necessary part of my Christian growth, something I can actually rejoice in because it produces perseverance (Romans 5:3). 

I love the analogy in 1 Peter 1:3-9 that compares our faith to gold that must be refined.  

The refiner's fire only destroys impurities that mar its beauty, detract from its basic characteristics as a metal, and have no value. 

And the finished product brings the jeweler praise, just like our persevering faith brings God glory.

Quote: Wiersbe, W. W. (1997, c1992). Wiersbe's expository outlines on the New Testament (741). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.

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We get this wrong so many times. We need to understand why Christians face adversity. It's important.


We get this wrong so many times. We need to understand why Christians face adversity. It's important. #BibleLoveNotes #Bible



Bible Love Notes

5 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 30, 2013 at 2:10 AM

    Hi Gail, urgh, lol! I hate being refined but if one seeks God in the process, one does become better, closer, more of use to Him! Great reminder that all the tough stuff makes us stronger and purer of heart
    God bless
    Tracy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gail @ http://biblelovenotes.comJanuary 30, 2013 at 7:25 PM

      I'm with you on this one, Tracy. I would never choose to be refined. I'm glad knows what's best for me!

      Delete
  2. VickiJanuary 30, 2013 at 9:45 AM

    It never ceases to amaze me how God works when He wants to make sure that I "get" something. These were the exact verses (1 Peter 1:3-9) for my bible study/devotion this morning. From them, what He really impressed on me was that my suffering and grief (I lost my husband a year and a half ago to cancer) aren't for nothing.

    Thank you for this!
    Blessings!
    Vicki

    ReplyDelete
  3. PiperJanuary 30, 2013 at 9:54 AM

    I can say that a lot of adversity has come my way over the years, and for many years I didn't see that God had a plan in all of it. A plan to let me go as far as I would choose to go..... until I had gone too far to look anywhere but to HIM. He used it for HIS GOOD & HIS GLORY!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Countrified HicksFebruary 4, 2013 at 1:12 AM

    I couldn't agree more. I would love for you to come over to my blog hop and share this and other posts there!
    http://countrifiedhicks.blogspot.com/2013/02/mondays-with-countrified-hicks-blog-hop.html

    ReplyDelete

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