My eyes keep going back to that word in 1st Peter 3:15–

Hope.

And I remember it was hope that drew me to Jesus. It was the hope I saw in others, that I didn’t understand but desperately wanted.

Theirs was a hope that made no earthly sense—a hope not based on circumstances.

In fact, some of those who had the greatest hope had lives that were marked by the hardest of things—women at church going through cancer, marriage problems, miscarriages and financial difficulties; BUT each one of them had such a settled peace and calm joy (that at the time) made no sense to me, but I wanted what they had.

I was drawn to the hope of Jesus in them, though it took me a while to understand that was what it was.

And all these years later, as I read those words of Peter about being prepared to explain the reason for the hope we have…it occurs to me that that I might not have noticed the hope of those women so long ago except that it was made more vivid by the darkness of the problems and the pain in their lives.

Hard times are opportunities for our hope to shine.

Friend, the very thing that is wearing you out right now may be the VERY THING that helps someone else find Jesus.

Peter points out that it was through the Savior’s suffering that Christ brought us to God. (1 Pet 3:18).

And if God used the suffering of Christ why would we think He isn’t intending to use our suffering too?

He certainly used the suffering of those women so long ago to help me see Him.

And I know suffering FEELS anything but good. It feels like suffering.

But may we remember others can be drawn to Jesus by the hope they see in us and that they might not notice that hope without the painful trials we face.

Yes, suffering is never fun. But those who know the Lord, suffer with hope that God can use for greater purpose:

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts. (Rom 5:1-5)

Oh yes, even in our suffering we have reason for the hope that is in us! (1 Pet 3:15)

What a Savior!

read1stPeter

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