One of the more common themes in Scripture is testing. Job was tested in losing everything, Abraham in the sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22:1), Israel at Sinai (Exodus 20:20) and Marah (Exodus 15:25), and King Hezekiah in his treasury (2 Chronicles 32:31).
God knows all, even the hidden things of the heart, but when He desires to expose something, He often does it through a trial of some sort. He did so even with His only begotten Son (Matthew 4:1).
It is crucial that we understand this, lest we be discouraged by what we face, and think that He somehow has abandoned us. Ironically, it is in our trials that He becomes more precious. Then again, so do we.
Yes, we can even rejoice in our trials because they “have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:7). We are not to think of these trials as strange or uncommon (1 Peter 4:12).
Another thing: Even though a given trial is not persecution FOR our faith, it is, nonetheless, a testing OF our faith. The trials listed above (of Job and the others) are in that category, and they exposed either doubt or faith in God’s goodness and provision.
Let’s not allow these “light, momentary afflictions” to steal joy rather than create it. They are preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond compare (2 Corinthians 4:17). They are worth it.
“Father, help us not grumble or complain as we face trials of many kinds, for you are working all things for our good. Keep our minds clear and our love for You pure. In the name of Jesus. Amen.”