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; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory. –1 Peter 1:6-8
I once read about a man who found two cocoons on his windowsill. Both were wiggling – the caterpillars had begun the struggle to break out. He 
decided to help. He cut the fibers of one cocoon to free the larvae, and left it there. He later returned to find the larvae lying lifeless. The other cocoon was empty – that butterfly launched into the world. He concluded that a larvae’s struggle and stress was a critical step in their transformation into an amazing butterfly.
If you could magically remove all struggles from the earth, would you? Then why doesn’t the One who is able to remove all struggles do so? The reason is because He knows how to deliver life’s best – He uses trials to steer us into a deep love relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. In Him, the love and joy we seek is to be found.
The Lord knows trials hurt – a lot, but if we stick to Him during our trials, we are purified from the earthly distractions that rob us of true joy. Keep meditating on the verses in 1 Peter above. Let Him build your faith to trust in Him and love Him in the midst of your trials.
Lord, show us how You use trials to transform us to new levels in life!
