One of my favorite verses – my life verse, you might say, is I Peter 1:7…”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:” That verse contains so much truth, conviction, encouragement, and purpose – all together in one verse – and I have rehearsed it very often in my mind and heart. Today’s FMF prompt, WORLD, however, had me looking at the verse just before this one. And although I have read it many times, I tend to read it too quickly….perhaps just getting to the familiarity of verse seven. But – of course – each verse, on its own, is so rich and and so powerful.
“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:” I Peter 1:6
GO – Reading the prompt, I immediately thought of the phrase, “in this world but not of this world.” That is the reality for us as Christians. At the end of each month, I try to look back. To review the previous four weeks and remember its blessings and to look for God’s hand at work. I did that yesterday on the blog and, if you read that post, you know that June was a month of emotional ups and downs. Good days and other days more challenging, but I tried to rehearse that God was faithful in all those days.
The truth is that while we are pilgrims here on earth, there will be hard days. Some extremely hard. We will face sorrows, hurts, trials and tragedies of all sorts and depth. However (and the however is so important), as children of God we do not have to respond, to be impacted or held captive by the things of this life in the same way that the world does.
We do not grieve without hope. We do not sorrow as the world does. We do not need to carry the worries of this world in the same way a lost man would. With the Holy Spirit within, we have hope. We know truth that gives us not only perspective but gives us assurance and peace. We can be not only strengthened and encouraged, but we can also be a comfort and encouragement to those around us. Our suffering or our hard days – of whatever type they might be – are only for “a season.” That needs to make all the difference!
STOP – I hope these verses will encourage you today. You can find the other FMF posts here, and my look back at June here. Looking forward to July:)
Beautifully said! I am in the process of compiling verses for a series on hope. I am humbled and amazed by the way God encourages us over and over in His word.
Thanks for stopping by, Heather! What a wonderful exercise – compiling verses of hope!!
“We do not grieve without hope. We do not sorrow as the world does. We do not need to carry the worries of this world in the same way a lost man would. ” When I was a kid and I was freaking out over one thing or another my dad used to say “You act like someone who has no God.” Now he said it somewhat it jest, but it used to make me so mad. Mostly because he was right. I still struggle sometimes reminding myself that this time of suffering is only a season, that this world was not meant to be our home. Thanks for the reminder.
Dad….right again:) Glad you stopped by today!!
Thanks for visiting, neighbor! I enjoyed your post as always. I don’t comment often. Trying to do it more often. Have a great weekend.
Ah, so glad you commented Elizabeth! I know it is alot….but glad to hear from you. And thanks for your encouragement!!
Loved the thought that while in this world, we are not to be of it. We shouldn’t look at things the way the world does because we have a heavenly perspective. I’m so glad to know this is not all there is!
I enjoyed your post!
Isn’t it wonderful to have a heavenly perspective??!? Glad you stopped by!
This life on this round earth
requires a believer,
because, from your birth,
it’s gonna try to kill ya.
Is there purpose in the pain?
The devil says, no way,
that debauchery’s the only gain,
and there’s no bill to pay.
I heard this song so many times,
and the devil’s full of crap.
It’s time to feed him back his lies,
bend him back unto his trap.
I’ll take the God-filled victory,
and beat Satan’s a** with hickory.
#1 at FMF this week.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2019/06/your-dying-spouse-638-vital-lesson-fmf.html
Glad you stopped by, Andrew! Hope you are having a peaceful weekend!!