In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love.
1 Peter 1:6-8

Though God gives us good gifts, blessings, and favor, we were not promised a life without trials and hardships. In the parable of the house built on the rock, the floods, winds, and storms came to both the foolish man and the wise man – neither man could avoid the trials and hardships of life. But where do you turn in these times?

Like the wise man, take care that you build your life on the rock – the foundation of Jesus – so that when the storms do come, you will come through the other side! Proverbs 10: says, The way of the Lord is strength for the upright, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. The ways of the world will do nothing but tear you down. But when you follow God’s way, your spirit is strengthened and blessed even in the hard times.

An eternal reward is promised to those who come through the trials standing on faith and the Word of God. But it is not easy to stay on His path when the world pushes you another way! God’s will for your life will often contradict the ways of the world – when you choose to follow Him, you will face some friction with our culture. Proverbs 16:25 says, There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. Though the ways of the world are tempting from the outside, they lead away from the love, joy, and peace that only He can give. Choose to follow Him even when the world leads in the other direction, and know that even in trials and hardships, nothing can separate you from His love!