Tests For A Little While

In James 1:2 we read, "Consider it all joy, my brother, when you encounter various trials." The word trial is another word for trouble or tribulation. Job made the observation, "Man is born to trouble..." (Job 5:7) Job's suffering was a test and he passed with flying colors when he concluded, "I know that my Redeemer lives." (2:9)
   
Do you remember when that blaring horn comes on your radio or TV to bring you a message from the Emergency Broadcast System only to say, "This is a test... This is only a test!" Our personal struggles are a test. Most don't mind a test if it doesn't last too long (six or seven minutes). Will we pass and show that our faith is genuine? Peter wrote, "In this you greatly rejoice though now for A LITTLE WHILE if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials." (I Pet. 1:6)
   
Your test may last a few days, or months or even years. But no matter how long it lasts it is nothing in light of eternity, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Rom. 8:18)