Divinely Appointed

It's always been a consolation to think that God is continually purposeful, doing millions of things hidden and secret, in the middle of what seems to be big trouble or unanswered prayer.

Sometimes we groan to know some of what He is doing, how He could weave something good from this pain.

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.--1 Peter 1:6-7

At least one thing: proving faith.

Gold is tested by fire. Faith is tested by trials. If I don't throw in the towel, if walking through junk doesn't blow away my confidence in who God says He is, it's because my faith, as wimpy and weak as it sometimes seems, is guarded by the power of God (1 Peter 1:5). That's a comfort.

And the trials come "for a little while." And only "if necessary." God is measures them out for our own special good.

"God sees your life--has seen its future, its weakness, its underdevelopment--and He's deemed this particular trial at this particular time necessary. It comes to you with premeditation and forethought, designed specifically for you, which is to say that it is not random.

"'For a little while' communicates that though God allowed Thing One and Thing Two to turn your life upside down, He has never let them off their leash. ...

"All trials, hardship, and suffering come into the life of the believer with divine permission and forethought; they'll last exactly as long as they were planned to last."

Just preaching this all to myself right now.