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Thus we see that such experience are not the result of God's displeasure, but rather the
wisdom of a heavenly Father Who is concerned about the spiritual development and
character of His children and therefore leads them into experiences that will achieve this
goal. Once this is realized, the sting is taken out of many of the disappointments of life.
When we realize this, we can better understand the words of Peter to Christians who were
undergoing severe tests, teaching them, "the trial of your faith, being much more
precious than gold that perisheth . . . . . might be found unto praise and honour and glory
at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (I Pet. 1: 4-7).
Such words remind us of Job, who though sorely afflicted could say:
"When He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23: 10).
Romans 5: 4 leads on to "patience", or better "endurance" and in turn this results in
"steadfastness of character" (experience A.V.), both of these traits being most necessary
in the Christian life, so that the believer does not capitulate under the difficulties that
come his way, but, strengthened by the Lord, is able to press on looking to the future
glory, knowing that:
"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far
outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For
what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (II Cor. 4: 17, 18, N.I.V.).