Facing the Trials
By Anthony Casperson
10-15-22

One of the possible complaints lobbied against storytellers—when it comes to the protagonist of their tale—is how it’s rather difficult to believe that so many intricately connected events befall one individual. It’s like, “Sure we can call it ‘fate’ or the will of a deity that this one person becomes chosen for this role of hero, but isn’t that just a little too convenient?”

While there might be some validity to such a question when it comes to certain stories, the response that holds the most weight in explanation is that if those events happened to another person, then they would have been the main character.

It’s not that this individual was special and so therefore they fell into this trajectory and overcame these obstacles. Rather, the idea is that this one person faced all of these trials and difficulties, which then caused them to become the person they were always meant to be.

Facing the trials led them to become the person needed at just the right time and place.

The character that we follow in a story is the one who steps up. Because if they didn’t, then no one would want to read that story. A life that shies away from the trials won’t lead to an extraordinary life. It’s only when we face the difficulties that we can then become a person who will be capable of something greater.

For we followers of Jesus, this comes in the form of enduring the trials of life to bring glory to God and refine our faithful life. They’re the refining fires that burn and hurt and melt us down to our core. But they are for the purpose of leading us to pure and faithful worship of our God and Maker.

The Apostle Peter—in the first letter bearing his name—follows the introductory greeting of the writing with words about this purpose for various trials. He’s writing to people whom he calls exiles. The people of God scattered about the far reaches of the world. They feel alone. Distant from others like them. People who are in the minority as the culture around them denigrates and despises them because the ways of God don’t fall in line with the selfish desires of their neighbors.

It’s to these people that Peter wants to remind of their salvation that will be wholly revealed when Jesus’ kingdom comes to the full. Their hope in the mercy of God proven true.

And then the Apostle says in 1 Peter 1:6-7 that we followers of Jesus can rejoice in this great salvation. Even though we face trials of various kinds. Difficulties that won’t outlast the greatness of the glory of God, but are necessary.

Trials that are necessary for us to face so that our faith might be purified through them as we cling to our God. And sing his praises throughout.

I know that many difficulties make us want to question this truth of God. And there are unspeakable horrors that some face which lead us to deny the statement completely. We human beings are not likely to ever understand how certain events can lead to glory for God and growth for our faith.

But lack of understanding should never make us stop trusting in God.

Those who are in the thick of trials and agonizing pain are concerned more about finding safety and security. And that’s why Peter writes those words in his letter. He’s reminding us of the truth when the truth is the last thing we want to hear.

When we face the trials of life, we can more easily overcome when we see the purpose in them. It’s then that we’ll see the extraordinary life that is made from facing the trials.