Why Trials?

[Brentwood Women]

Look back over 1 Peter, Chapter 1 to help guide your answers to the
following questions.

1. What reasons can you find for God’s allowing trials in your
life?
2. What advice can you find for the believer facing trials?

[Emily]

1. I guess the obvious answer comes from v.7- our faith must be proved
as genuine. Then there are the references to the joy that we will be
filled with when we receive the goal of our faith, the salvation.
2. I'm finding several pieces, but not quite the right one....."be
holy in all you do...live as strangers in reverent fear"....other
references to the inheritance that will "never perish, spoil, or
fade." I keep getting stuck on v. 12, and not sure who the first
"you" refers to. Any thoughts since I am out in left field? I also
keep wanting to reference other verses for the advice part, not found
in I Peter.

[Brentwood Women]

I also found v. 7 as the most direct answer to Question 1.

For Questions 2 I liked the end of v. 7 that says we will receive
"praise, glory, and honor" when Jesus is revealed, as well as the
promise of an eternal inheritance v.4. that you mentioned Emily. Some
other promises that might encourage one who is suffering is the gift
of a new birth v. 3, and the reminder of what our goal should be that
v. 9 offers.

[rks...@sbcglobal.net]

The best advice I can think of - right today - is we should pray that
God will "open the eyes of our hearts" so we can see Jesus more
clearly. Pray for a greater grasp of the reality of heaven (:4).
Read slowly through :19-20 & meditate on the purchase price of our
redemption: "the "precious blood of a lamb without blemish...chosen
before creation....for my sake." (:19-20) "Set your hope fully on the
grace to be given when Jesus Christ is revealed (:13). Aren't we
blessed?!!
K

[Katie]

I agree with the first 2 responses to question 1- to prove our faith
is genuine and to bring glory to Christ. I like how Peter is saying
that through our trials (maybe our responses to them or the was God
answers them- not sure) that Christ will be revealved and glory will
be brought to Him. It puts a different spin on things- I always think
of facing trials as a test/challege to my faith (that is when I am
even focused enough to try and look at it as a positive instead of
feeling sorry for myself)- but I hadnt really looked at it this way
before- that our trials actually might reveal Christ to others.
Something to think about...

As for question 2, I really like what the others said- I dont have
much to add. Peter talks a lot about being "chosen", so that implies
God has a plan. It is hard to see when we are facing trials, but if
we can realize that, then it is helpful in getting through them. Vs 2
says we are "chosen according to the foreknowledge of God" ...not sure
I can wrap my brain all the way around that but it is comforting to
know that He knows what He knows...I also like vs 5 that says we are
"shielded by God's power"...again, not sure how that works but it is
an awesome thought.

Sorry I am late in rseponding. We are out of town and I am playing
catch up. It was so great to read the responses though and an
encouragement to me

[Mindi Tipps]

Sorry to reply late... I've been sick. I've loved reading every one's
responses!

I think the thing that sticks out to me most about why we face trials
is so that our faith will be proven genuine. I don't think I've ever
really thought about that before. What better way to prove our love
for God than how we act in trials though? I'm not sure I do a very
good job at this.

At the end of 1 Peter 1 it talks about how Jesus suffered. I look at
all Christ suffered for me and my own trails seem so small. It helps
put it in perspective for me.