Trials are very much part of our walk with God.  It’s something I’ve struggled with as a Christian through the years.  It wasn’t always easy for me to see the value of our trials at first.  But, as I’ve grown in my relationship with God I’ve truly begun to see the powerful value of trials in our walk with the Lord.  He refines us through our trials and truly brings gold from the furnace.

James 1: 2 – 4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Job 23:10 says, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”

The most important thing that I’ve discovered about trials is that they drive me to God and cause me to cling to Him.  As a result, I’ve found that trials and times of hardship forge my relationship with God.  It brings me closer to God, causes me to cling to Him and truly stand in faith. Ultimately this just causes me to go deeper in my relationship with Him.

I will never forget the day I realised this.  From that day on there’s been a complete shift in how I view my trials.  I now receive them with joy because I understand that they benefit me by drawing me closer to God and helping me persevere in my faith.  And this just strengthens and refines my faith in God.

As you walk with God and face various trials along the way remember that though the furnace is an uncomfortable place to be, God will bring forth gold if you just trust Him!