“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:6-9 NIV
Oh, how I love the body of Christ! Honestly – big love. I love people. I especially love my people. My family people, my friend people, my neighbor people…..well, you get the idea. But, I tend to carry their burdens. I tend to over think their traumas, over obsess, over pray (well, maybe not over pray!). But as I read this today, it reminds me that this life is hard, but it will be worth it. Even now. We tend to just hope for, long for heaven. A place where we will have no more sorrows, pain, or challenges. And, yes, I am ready for that.
But here, Peter reminds us that our faith in Him, even now, will give us “inexpressible and glorious joy”. I am pretty sure this joy is real, cause I’ve known it, and I love it. absolutely love it. And it is available now. Not holding out for heaven. NOW. Even in the midst of the challenges. Especially in the midst of the challenges. To glorify Him. Oh, how I love Him!!!
”So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:6-9 New Living Translation
So, be truly glad. I love you, friends.
Thank you for this:) Love love.