And/or

Further up and further in: James 1:2-4, Hebrews 1:1-13, Romans 5:1-5

Verse: 1 Peter 1:6-7 – You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith – more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire – may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. CSB

Prayer: Lord God, it is so hard to see the good in pain. It is so hard to understand how I can praise you for pain. It is so difficult to grasp how hurting is beneficial. I can see it in other things. I can see it in the extreme pressure that turns coal into diamonds. I can see it when gold is smelted in the furnace. But when I’m the one in the smelting furnace being refined by you, it is much harder to sing. It’s hard to sing when you’re hurting! Lord God, help me to see – even when I don’t fully understand what you’re doing, even when I don’t know what good you intend to give – that you are doing good things for me and my salvation. Help me to trust your Father’s heart and your all-knowing, wise plan for me. Help to find a simple joy in my trials, my pain, and my hardships because it means you love me. Help me to praise you for the pain because it means that you’re smelting me, disciplining me for my good and for my eternity. Father, I know you love me. Help me to praise you for your Father’s care, even when it hurts. Amen.