1 Peter 1:6-7 (HCAB), “You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials so that the genuineness of your faith — more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire — may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
There are times when things don’t work out as we planned. When we walk down the aisle with great joy and anticipation to say, “I do,” we never imagine that our happy marriage might end in divorce. The friend you thought was your “besti for life” turns their back on you, or the friendship dwindles because of distance or changes in life circumstances. Our child, with a full-ride scholarship to a major university, drops out of school and becomes a drug addict. After starting a position at the company you’ve always dreamed of working for, it became a huge disappointment as you discovered it isn’t what you imagined. Your determination to get in shape and embrace a healthy lifestyle often fizzles out after a few weeks due to a lack of immediate gratification and loss of motivation. Starting a business with a great vision and potential can become a struggle, then a burden, ultimately leading to its closure.
Life is full of disappointments and hardships that often leave us feeling discouraged and defeate ...
