“In 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 your faith… may result in praise… when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
1 Peter 1:6-7
My stroke initially came with an unwelcome result called complex regional pain syndrome. This syndrome is a malfunction of the nervous system that creates pain greatly out of proportion to an outside stimulus (such as excruciating pain coming from a paper cut). Something causes the malfunctioning system to send pain signals, and those send more pain signals, producing a cycle of pain that is difficult to break. For me, a simple shot before a surgery was an agonizing experience, beyond “10” on the pain scale!
What does this have to do with trusting God? Peter shows how closely connected trust and joy are: “Though you have not seen him… you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8). God has shown me that trust in Him and finding joy in Him are tightly linked with one another (Psalm 5:11a, Psalm 28:7). We can be caught up in a cycle of trust and joy.
While our difficulties and disappointments may start a downward spiral, a cycle of trust and joy is hard for the devil to break!
What does this have to do with trusting God? Peter shows how closely connected trust and joy are: “Though you have not seen him… you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8). God has shown me that trust in Him and finding joy in Him are tightly linked with one another (Psalm 5:11a, Psalm 28:7). We can be caught up in a cycle of trust and joy.
While our difficulties and disappointments may start a downward spiral, a cycle of trust and joy is hard for the devil to break!
Scripture Focus
1 Peter 1:3-9
Insight
“In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.” (Psalm 33:21)
Bible In A Year
- 1 Kings 2-3
- Psalm 150
- 2 Timothy 3-4
