What is it that gives you a little energy in the midst a hard day? A good cup of coffee, a trip to the gym or maybe your favorite candy? I prefer a handful of dark chocolate almonds and escape from my desk for a few moments. What about a really hard day, week, or 6 months of COVID-19? Coffee and candy alone will not sustain you through a longstanding crisis. You need something more substantive that will nourish your soul.
I Peter 1:3-9 provides an excellent remedy for enduring a long season of trials.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."
These verses teach us that the path to joyful endurance, even over long periods of tribulation, is hope. Peter faced intense persecution yet he still spoke with settled assurance and great joy. Where does his joy come from in this text? Peter’s abounding joy in the present was based on his absolute conviction about Christ. What Christ had done in the past, was doing in his life at the present and what Christ is lavishly preparing for him in the future.
So how can we have true joy in the midst of longstanding trials? Think past, present and future.
Find hope in what Christ has accomplished for you in the past through his resurrection from the dead. The resurrection grants you a “living hope” for what is to come (verses 3-4).
Find hope in what Christ is accomplishing in you at the present. God is keeping you secure until you reach heaven (verse 5) and God is refining you through the various trials he brings into your life (verses 6-9) so that you will be fully ready for the Lord’s appearing.
Find hope in what Christ will do for you in the future. The future couldn’t be any brighter for the Christian! God promises us an eternally secure inheritance (verse 4), the sure hope of the resurrection as a member of God’s family (verse 3) and the glorious salvation of our souls (verses 5 and 9).
When the heaviness of your trials begins to weigh you down, take a few minutes to reflect on what Christ has done for you in the past, is doing for you in the present and will do for you in the future. Hope in these things and the joy of the Lord will lift your soul.
For further study, Psalms 42 and 43 are excellent reminders to hope in the Lord in the midst of trouble.