Randall had faced the biggest test of his life. He was just diagnosed with stage three cancer and was told that the cancer would only become more aggressive. Perhaps Randall would have been a tad bit stronger in his reception of this news, but he had recently taken a step of faith to leave his job and go on the mission field. As a result he had lost his health insurance and now it was nearly an impossibility to acquire the insurance he needed, not to mention it was completely unrealistic to think he could afford a life insurance policy that would actually cover his wife and children. In confusion and dismay, Randall bolstered up his confidence in God and stood the test of times believing God for healing and provision.
Life often doesn't give us a heads up or warning to forthcoming trials or tests. In fact there aren't any crystal balls to foresee the times of uncertainty or calamity, especially when we have been living a "good" life much like Randall. For those of us who believe we've done things the right way, made the right choices, or even just maintained a positive attitude and are suddenly faced with tragedy, despair, life altering events, or just dealt a bad hand we may not understand why we have to go through.
Well 1 Peter 1:7 reminds us that we will face trials and tests while we are living this life, but that we will come out as pure gold. What does that mean? It means that we will survive, it means that we will be better because of the storms we face as they build character by causing us to rely solely on our Creator, God our Father. When we trust God like this, He no choice but to bless us as His word reminds us that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Yes trials will come so long as we live, but it's how we face them that causes us to triumph. Randall ultimately was admitted into a trial procedure by one of the top hospitals in cancer research and treatment, within a year he was cancer free. While healing and provision met him eventually, the best part was that he could say: to God be the glory as his faith withstood the test. Randall simply couldn't take any credit for his miracle story!
Life often doesn't give us a heads up or warning to forthcoming trials or tests. In fact there aren't any crystal balls to foresee the times of uncertainty or calamity, especially when we have been living a "good" life much like Randall. For those of us who believe we've done things the right way, made the right choices, or even just maintained a positive attitude and are suddenly faced with tragedy, despair, life altering events, or just dealt a bad hand we may not understand why we have to go through.
Well 1 Peter 1:7 reminds us that we will face trials and tests while we are living this life, but that we will come out as pure gold. What does that mean? It means that we will survive, it means that we will be better because of the storms we face as they build character by causing us to rely solely on our Creator, God our Father. When we trust God like this, He no choice but to bless us as His word reminds us that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Yes trials will come so long as we live, but it's how we face them that causes us to triumph. Randall ultimately was admitted into a trial procedure by one of the top hospitals in cancer research and treatment, within a year he was cancer free. While healing and provision met him eventually, the best part was that he could say: to God be the glory as his faith withstood the test. Randall simply couldn't take any credit for his miracle story!
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