The Power of Hope: 7 Days to Hoping in the LordSample

Hope for Life's Fires | Peter

In the world you will have tribulation,” said Jesus (John 16:33). Jesus didn’t offer any exceptions in the fine print. Tribulation— pain, loss, grief, frustration, betrayal, unfairness, injustice, disease— is unavoidable. 

A trial can last for years (Paul’s thorn in his side [2 Corinthians 12:7–10]) or for a brief time (the days between Peter denying his association with Jesus and reestablishing his relationship with his Lord). However long trials last, they— like fire refining gold— refine our faith in Jesus, revealing its genuineness and its impurities. 

Paul learned about the sufficiency of God’s grace, and Peter experienced the redemptive grace of Jesus’ forgiveness. May those examples help us remember that God is for us, not against us. Trials come, and He uses them to grow our faith and make us more like Jesus. He wants us to know Him as our only Source of salvation, power, blessing, and, yes, hope.