1 Peter 1:6 Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. (The Message Bible)
Gold has always been a precious commodity. Did you know that according to www.britannica.com/technology/gold-processing/Refining, “virtually all the impurities present in gold combine with gaseous chlorine more readily than gold does at temperatures equal to or greater than the melting point of gold. The impure gold is therefore melted and gaseous chlorine is blown into the resulting liquid. The impurities form chloride compounds that separate into a layer on the surface of the molten gold.” How is that for a refresher on your high school chemistry? Suffering is part of life. Buddhists understand this as one of their four noble truths. The atheist Friedrich Nietzsche claimed “To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.” The suffering appears inevitable. The question seems to be if there is meaning in it. Christianity teaches that God uses even the suffering in life for our good and development, just as the suffering of Good Friday led to Easter. What do you think is behind the suffering in your life?
Logan Memorial Presbyterian Church 