Do you feel beat down?  Are you in the midst of battle?

Maybe you leave one trial behind, only to walk directly into a new battle.

I am convinced that life is like that for many of us Imperfect Wives.

Scripture says that as we turn to live in Christ, we will suffer.  2 Timothy 3:12 confirms,

 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (NKJV)

Suffering is an apt word to describe the trials we sometimes must walk through.

As those re-birthed in Christ, we have something in our arsenal that triumphs over suffering, persecution and all kinds of trials.

Faith.

Triumphant faith.

who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  1 Peter 1:5-9 (NIV)

During the trial, our faith is our shield (verse 5).

Faith in Christ provides (by God’s power) our shielding.  Even when we feel exposed to the enemy and open to the fiery darts of the adversary, we are shielded.

Peter tells us that this triumphal faith is worth celebrating!  Even in the midst of grief in all kinds of trials he reminds us to rejoice — and rejoice greatly (verse 6).

Faith that triumphs is precious.

Faith that triumphs is proved genuine (verse 7).

Our trials are opportunities to triumph over the adversary and a means to bring praise, glory and honor to Jesus Christ.

Now that is triumphant faith.

Get the laurel wreath out and wear the victor’s medal whenever you face trials ladies, for our faith in Jesus is victorious and triumphant!

Amen.

♥Kim

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