Purified faith

"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"           1 Peter 1.6-7

Persecution, infamy, injustice, misunderstanding and everything else that we suffer because of our faith in Jesus are part of our trials. They may feel cruel and unjust, but it matures faith for salvation of the soul. Were it not so, surely the Spirit of God would not allow us to go through it. 

JOY DURING TIMES OF TRIAL

"... count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."     James 1.2-4

Joy during good times is normal.
Joy during times of trial seems contradictory. Doesn't it?
Tests of faith only happen in the lives of those who live by faith.
They live by faith because they are of God. This does not give them a reason to be improperly joyful, but to be filled with a great joy.
This is the joy of being a child of God.

A BOW OF BRONZE

"He teaches my hands to make war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze."    Psalm 18:34

The Spirit of God enables us to win every battle. And whatever our hands touch will have a positive outcome. With Him, victory is guaranteed. 

DEFEND

"May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob defend you."    Psalm 20:1

Everybody has problems. All the heroes of faith lived through them. They are what helps us grow and mature spiritually, making our trust in God unshakable. The Lord allows the furnaces to ignite, but He delivers His allies from the fire.

COMMAND TO PERSEVERE

"Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth." Revelation 3:10

The Divine command of perseverance refers to continuously remaining in the faith, even in the face of adversity. Willing to suffer persecutions, sorrows, injustices, slander and much more, but remaining loyal. The Lord Jesus Christ promises to keep His faithful followers.

Joy

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."

James 1: 2-3

The Christian testing is not made out of health, family, or financial problems, but out of the cause we suffer for the Lord Jesus. Injustice, persecution, criticism because of our faith are just some of the trials we go through which should bring us reasons for joy. Rejoice in suffering for the cause of the Lord Jesus.