EMPOWERED Joy: Rooted in eternity

1st Peter 1:6-9 | So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must 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.

• Thinking about yesterday’s reading and this 1st Peter passage, what is the purpose of hard times? Why does God allow them in the life of His followers?

• How can remembering that the struggles of this world are temporary help you stay joyful in hard times?

• What hope do God’s followers have for eternity?

• How often do you think about the promise of Heaven? How can praising God for the promise of Heaven often help your stay joyful?