We as Americans often like shortcuts. We like all the good stuff without all the pain that is required along the way. But hard things aren't necessarily bad things. And Peter shows us in this passage that even the hard things that we suffer in this life have a purpose as God is using them to transform us into the type of person He wishes for us to be. He refines us in the fire of afflictions to purify us. And when we have gone through those various trials, we only have one thing left that gives us ultimate joy: God Himself. We must also remember that these trials aren't forever; the Lord will only make them last as long as they need to be there for us to understand that His grace is sufficient for us. But as long as they are there, He is teaching us something – including how to have joy even in the midst of our trials. If our greatest joy is the Lord Jesus, no person or circumstance can take that away from us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Are we hoping in Him? Are we loving Him? Are we rejoicing in Him?
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