Read 1 Peter 1:3-9

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all 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 the proven genuineness of your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-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 end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Reflect

In this passage, Peter so eloquently describes life's joy and sorrow "rails," aboard a train that leads to our home with God in heaven. Trials, persecution, separation, and fire on one rail; new birth, a living hope, and a secure salvation on the other. And the gift of inexplicable and coming joy when we meet our Savior face to face. Why was it important for Peter to acknowledge the Christ-followers' sufferings in his letter of encouragement?

Respond

Reflect on a time when someone greatly encouraged you during a painful time. How did they navigate the tricky, sometimes cliché-filled territory of stepping in and empathizing with you—while offering truths about Jesus? Did they show their support through acts of service? Did they simply listen? How might you model some of what they did in helping another friend or family member going through a trial?