A Note to Encourage You

By Jeff Kaiser

 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT)

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

I was talking with someone recently, and they shared that they don’t believe suffering is biblical and certainly not something God wants His kids to go through. Their thinking was that if someone is suffering, they must be under judgment and God is displeased with them. I told them if I agreed with them, we’d both be wrong! OK…I didn’t say that to them! I wanted to…but thankfully the intrusive thought stayed in my head! LOL

Actually, it really is errant thinking and theology to think that we won’t go through any suffering at all. There are scriptures that support that we WILL go through suffering - Philippians 1:29; John 16:33; James 1:2-4 to name a few. And while suffering is not fun and I’ve complained to the Lord on more than one occasion, there is a purpose that our Heavenly Father works out in us during these times.

There are 8 principles we learn as we go through suffering. They are as follows…Suffering
  • Brings us to maturity. James 1:2-4
  • Suffering and trials are NORMAL. 1 Peter 4:12-14
  • Changes our values. 1 Peter 4:1-2
  • Refines our faith. 1 Peter 1:6-7
  • Refines us to reflect Jesus. Isaiah 48:10-11; 1 Peter 2:21
  • Gives us compassion to minister to hurting people. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
  • Allows us to experience God’s love. Romans 5:3-5
  • Lays up rewards. Romans 8:17-18
I want to say this to you. When our Father allows you to go through something, it is under His watchful eye. He loves you DEEPLY! When I walked beans on my grandpa’s farm as a boy, I was under his watchful eye. He didn’t just abandon me to hard labor! When you’re going through a trial, the Lord knows what He wants to do in you and through you in that trial! Matthew 15:21-28 is a passage of Scripture that ministers to me frequently. This woman had a demonized daughter. She wanted her to be free! She cried out to Jesus as she followed Him. The disciples tried to send her away, but she kept after Jesus. When Jesus FINALLY talks to her, He doesn’t even address her need…but she is not deterred! When He tries to discourage her, she STILL is not deterred! When He told her it wasn’t good to give the dogs bread from the master’s table…she countered with “'True Lord, but even the little dogs get the crumbs from his table.' Jesus rejoiced - He said to her, 'O woman, great is your faith!'”

I believe that whole exchange was about what happens when we go through the same thing with Him. It seems like He is ignoring you. He’s not! Even when you keep asking…He’s not ignoring you. When He speaks and doesn’t even address your situation…it’s not because He doesn’t care…it’s because He is pulling something out of you that is far more precious than gold that perishes…YOUR FAITH!

Don’t give up my friend! Jesus is with you and He is for you!!! You are so loved!

Much love, 

Pastor Jeff and Sherry