Bible Devotions for Living

Your training here will last a lifetime and be difficult at times, but it will be worth it. Here is what Scripture says it will accomplish in you:

You are being transformed into the image of Christ:

We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Cor 3:18)

You are being purified like a precious metal:

For You, God, tested us; You refined us as silver is refined. (Ps 66:10)

Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold. (Job 23:10)

God is turning you into something great! Your sufferings will be well worth going through the difficulties:

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us … ²⁸ We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. (Rom 8:18-29)

Remember the suffering only lasts for a short time, but the benefits will last forever:

¹⁷ For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. ¹⁸ So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Cor 4:17-18)

What is a hard 80-year life compared to even 1 billion years with God? But you will enjoy the benefits of your training forever. So, what is 80 years of trials compared to an infinite amount of time enjoying what God accomplished in you?

So, instead of dreading tough times, look at them as shaping and training opportunities. Think of them as God’s training ground and learn from them … but not just that, rejoice in them since they are accomplishing such great things in you!

³ And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions … (Rom 5:3)

² Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials … (Jms 1:2)

Rejoice in your difficulties since God is using them to shape and mold you into Jesus’ glorious image. Don’t whine about them, just try to get through them, or lash out. Learn from them and rejoice in them because they are evidence of God caring for you. Evidence that He is training you up as His child.

Summary

• Your training refines you like a precious metal (Ps 66:10; Job 23:10)
• Your training transforms you to be more like Jesus (2 Cor 3:18)
• Trials and suffering are part of the training but it will be well worth it (Rom 8:18-29)
• The suffering lasts for a short while but the benefits forever (2 Cor 4:17-18)
• Rejoice in your training and afflictions (Rom 5:3; Jms 1:2)

⁹ His wife said to him, “Do you still retain your integrity? Curse God and die!” ¹⁰ “You speak as a foolish woman speaks,” he told her. “Should we accept only good from God and not adversity?” Throughout all this Job did not sin in what he said. (Job 2:9-10)

Many adversities come to the one who is righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all. (Ps 34:19)