And if your eye is not experienced enough to detect that difference, it is said by jewelers that water will definitely show up the real diamond. A genuine diamond placed in water sparkles brilliantly though it's under water while the imitation is practically extinguished as to its sparkle. Testing separates imitation faith from the genuine faith. It reveals strong faith and weak faith. Faith that survives the fire of adversity validates the claims of the tested one and makes him or her an epistle to the world.
Adversity puts iron in our soul.
We've all seen people who started well, but were blown away by some adversity. A Christian is one who believes and goes on believing, even in the midst of adversity. Reading books, attending meetings, and ecstatic spiritual experiences cannot produce Christian maturity. It is developed in the crucible of life. This suggest that the sufferer can circumvent the process and thereby abort our development.