Is there any hope in the midst of your suffering? This may be a hard season for you. You are suffering through a long tunnel or a dark wilderness. Life doesn’t make sense; it seems meaningless; it is slipping through your fingers; and some days you struggle just to get out of bed. Can anything help you get through this rough patch to the other side?
Peter wrote to Christians who were suffering in first-century Rome and surrounding areas. He began, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:3–5).” That’s good news. That’s hopeful. He reminds them of who they are and what God has done. They are born again. They have a living hope. They have an inheritance coming to them that will not be destroyed. And God Himself is guarding and keeping them safe. And these things are true of you, in Christ. How helpful is it to remember this in your time of suffering? This gives you direction and a solid foundation to stand on. You can rejoice in who God is and who you are in Christ through your darkest days.
Peter is honest about their suffering. It’s real and he doesn’t shy away from it. “Even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,” he continues. Grief is real and various trials are real: health issues, financial problems, relationship turmoil. Getting older can be a trial, dealing with a “new normal.” The loss of a loved one is certainly upending and painful. Know for sure that trials will come in your life, but there is hope in the trial. There is purpose and meaning. Peter explains that these trials come, “so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:6–7).” As hard as your trial is, as intense as your suffering may be, it is not permanent. Your suffering will end. It will test you and strengthen you, as gold goes through fire, and will come to praise and glory and honor of Jesus. You will make it through this hard time and ultimately see Jesus on that day, when there will be no more tears or pain or suffering. Hold on just one more day.
You love Jesus and He loves you. You believe in Him and rejoice in Him. Salvation is coming, even through this tough time. It is a temporary suffering, because you know you are forgiven for all eternity. Your salvation is secure. Be encouraged through this hardship, knowing who He is and where you are heading.