It was Fall when I wrote, “Praise you, Lord, for the beauty of the trees these days as the leaves are now at their height of color. Every corner we turn on the road reveals amazing scenes of blazing reds and blinding yellow, with certain trees standing out in special brilliance.”

These trees are a picture of what different believers are like. When things are going well, all look about the same in their uniform greens. But when difficulties and pressure come, like the frost of Fall, the beauty of belief is revealed.

Similar to these frosted trees, some believers stay green, some have a touch of color, while others stand out gloriously, glowing, lit from within in by their reds and yellows.

These glowing trees are like believers who respond in faith when things are tough. As it says in 1 Peter 1:6,7 “…for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith…may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

When our faith is proven true under pressure, we give glory to God at that moment, and He will then give it back us when we arrive in heaven, where we will glow in His love and share in His honor: “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Col 3:4).

Knowing the beauty faith brings, and how this honors God, can help us to respond in trust when things are difficult. In offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving we bring a glow to us and glory for God.

In contrast, the self-indulgence of complaining gives us drabness and dishonors His name. Which will we choose? “He who offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me….” Ps. 50:23