Jun. 15, 2025

Pastor Dave's sermon begins at 32:20 min into the video. The music "The Heart Of Worship", "Hymn of Heaven" , "It Is Well With My Soul", "Thank You Jesus For The Blood", "King Of Kings", and "The Blessing" are licensed under CCLI Copyright #2723035 and Streaming Media #22024223 licenses.

When Life Turns You Upside Down: Finding Gold in Your Trials

Have you ever felt like Chippy the parakeet—sucked up by life's unexpected storms, washed clean by circumstances beyond your control, and left sitting in silence wondering what just happened? Pastor Dave’s powerful message about Trials and Faith reveals how God transforms our deepest struggles into our greatest spiritual treasures. Your pain has a purpose, and your trials are actually polishing the gold of your faith. Life will test you. That's not a maybe—it's a promise. But here's the transformative truth: God uses every trial to develop something precious in your life that couldn't be created any other way. The apostle Peter knew this reality. He wrote to believers who were facing "various trials"—the kind that come in different shapes, sizes, and seasons. Maybe you're facing financial pressure, health scares, relationship struggles, or losses that have left you feeling like you "don't sing much anymore."

Here's what will change your perspective: Your trials aren't random accidents—they're divine appointments. Every difficulty you face passes through your Heavenly Father's hands first. He's not punishing you; He's purifying you. He's not abandoning you; He's refining the genuine gold of your faith.

Pastor Dave’s Key Teachings

Trials are necessary for spiritual growth. As 1 Peter 1:6 states, "If need be, you have been grieved by various trials." Just like a muscle needs resistance to grow stronger, your faith needs trials to become genuine. Pastor Dave reminds us, "I've never sat down and said, Lord, I just think I need a good trial. Could you send one my way? I don't know about you, but they come often enough." God uses trials to bring correction to redirect your focus, humble you when pride creeps in, strengthen your spiritual endurance, develop patience in your character, purify your heart by removing what hinders growth, and equip you to help others who are suffering. When trials hit, ask yourself, "What is God trying to develop in me through this?" Instead of asking "Why me?" try asking "What now?"

Your trials are temporary, but their benefits are eternal. As 1 Peter 1:6 notes, "Though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials." Even if your trial lasts your entire lifetime, it's still temporary compared to eternity. The apostle Paul referred to his beatings, shipwrecks, and imprisonments as "light affliction" that was "working for us a far more exceedingly eternal weight of glory." Pastor Dave explains, "There's no suffering that does not have a purpose. God is always working to produce something in our lives—not only presently, but eternally." When overwhelmed by current circumstances, zoom out to see the eternal perspective. Ask God to show you how this trial is preparing you for future service or building eternal rewards.

Trials test and prove the genuineness of your faith. As 1 Peter 1:7 states, "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." Gold becomes pure through fire—the heat brings impurities to the surface where they can be removed. Your faith works the same way. Trials reveal what you're really trusting in and help you transfer your dependence from temporary things to your eternal God. Pastor Dave warns, "Did you know there's some faith that's professed that is not always genuine? There's some things that you and I, we have our faith in God, and yet we trust a lot of other things at the same time." Three common faith tests include 1) Adversity: will you trust God when life falls apart? 2) Prosperity: will you trust God when life goes well? 3) Transitions: will you trust God when He moves you out of your comfort zone? Identify what you're tempted to trust besides God (your abilities, resources, relationships). Consciously transfer that trust back to Him daily.

God's grace comes in as many forms as your trials. As 1 Peter 4:10 says, "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." Just as trials come in various forms, God's grace also comes in multiple colors and expressions. You can be that "beautiful color that brightens somebody's day" by sharing God's grace with others who are struggling. Look for someone in your church, workplace, or neighborhood who needs encouragement. Share your story of how God helped you through a difficult time.

 Scriptural Foundation

• 1 Peter 1:6-9 - The primary text teaching us that trials test and refine our faith like gold in fire, leading to praise, honor, and glory when Jesus is revealed.
• 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - Paul's perspective on temporary suffering producing eternal glory, helping us focus on unseen eternal realities rather than temporary visible circumstances.
• 1 Peter 4:10 - Our calling to minister God's manifold grace to others, using our experiences to serve those who are struggling.

These passages work together to show that trials aren't meaningless suffering—they're purposeful processes that develop genuine faith, eternal perspective, and compassionate service.

Your Journey Forward

• Identify your current trial. Write it down and ask God: "What do You want to develop in me through this?"
• Practice the eternal perspective. When overwhelmed, remind yourself: "This is temporary, but what God is building in me is eternal."
• Look for someone to encourage. Share your story of God's faithfulness with someone facing similar struggles.
• Build a network of spiritual mentors who can speak truth into your life during difficult seasons.
• Begin serving others who are going through what you've already experienced.

Remember Pastor Dave's encouraging words: "If God brought you to it, God will bring you through it." Nothing comes to your life unless it passes through your Father's hands first.

Closing Prayer and Reflection

"Father, we just thank You for Your faithfulness, for Your goodness and Your grace. And as we journey through this land as pilgrims and sojourners, we continually ask that You guide us and give us Your strength. And Lord, may Your comfort and Your peace calm all of our fears and speak into our spirit and into our soul. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen."

Reflection: You may feel like Chippy today—sucked up by circumstances, washed by trials, and blown around by life's storms. But remember: God is not finished with you. He's refining something precious in your life that will bring Him glory and equip you to serve others. Your trials today are developing treasures for eternity.

The gold of your genuine faith is worth far more than any temporary comfort you might lose. Trust the process. Trust the Father. Trust that in all things, God is working for your good and His glory.