A Healthy Me is A Happy ME
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Pressure!
"The pressure of life" can refer to the various stressors and challenges that individuals face throughout their lives.
This pressure can come from many sources, such as work responsibilities, financial burdens, family obligations, health concerns, and societal expectations.
Each person experiences and manages these pressures differently, and they can significantly impact one's mental and physical well-being.
How are you handling pressure?
The letter of 1 Peter is addressed to Christians who were living as exiles scattered throughout various provinces in Asia Minor, which is modern-day Turkey.
These believers were primarily Gentiles who had converted to Christianity, and they were living in a predominantly non-Christian and often hostile environment.
I want to be clear The early church was under pressure because of their faith…
Think about it… Personal pressure internally and dealing with hostility for being a believer of Jesus.
Peter tells them…
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
Caused: to renew ⇔ beget again v. — to renew; conceived of as causing a second birth.
There is no “New Birth” if Jesus is not resurrected from the dead.
New birth comes from belief… You have to believe in the gospel.
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
I am a new creature…
I have a living hope…
I have an inheritance:
that is imperishable
It is undefiled
It is unfading
It kept in heaven for me…
who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
It’s all God… “God’s power”
Guarded: to be guarded v. — to be or become secure and kept under watch.
“Through faith” - You have to believe this…
Believe it!
“For a salvation”
salvation n. — the state of being delivered or preserved from harm (of judgment); especially as what that state entails, a safe haven in heaven.
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,
Peter understood the pressure…
I know you’re saved
I know you’re born again
But trials can be grievous
various adjs. — having great diversity or variety.
Trials: examination n. — the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes).
What are trials examining?
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
“Trials of various kinds”
Jesus helps us put this in perspective
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Tribulation: distress (state) n. — an oppressive state of physical, mental, social, or economic adversity.
Physical Sufferings: Health issues, diseases, injuries, or disabilities that test one’s faith and endurance.
Economic Troubles: Financial instability, job loss, poverty, or business failures that create stress and require trust in God for provision.
Emotional Challenges: Depression, anxiety, loneliness, or grief that may arise from various life events, requiring spiritual resilience and community support.
Spiritual Conflicts: Doubts about faith, struggles with belief.
Interpersonal Issues: Conflicts with family, friends, or church members, including misunderstandings, betrayals, or relational breakdowns that need forgiveness and reconciliation.
Persecution for Faith: Hostility or rejection because of one's religious beliefs, ranging from social ostracism to physical threats, particularly in regions where Christianity is in the minority.
Moral Dilemmas: Situations that test one's ethics and values.
you may have been grieved by various trials
Grieved: to be sad v. — to be or become sorrowful or unhappy.
Various trials is putting your faith under examination…
“Testing” Is my faith fake or real?
James said “count it all joy:”
Peter said…
“In this you rejoice”
Rejoice: to exult (feel joy) v. — to feel extreme happiness or elation.
The reason why I am rejoicing is because I am growing
so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
My faith is being tested but I’m learning how to be happy through my pressure!
I’m learning that how I respond is a reflection of my spiritual health!
That my faith is genuine…
I’m not going to lie…. There are times where I feel unhappy…
I feel frustrated…
I feel irritated
I feel devastated
but it’s what I do next after
My faith points me back to my hope!
Rejoice!
God said praise me now because I am going to praise you later!
My faith will be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Praise (approval) n. — an expression of approval and commendation.
Glory: glory (state) n. — a state of high honor.
Honor: honor (state) n. — the state of being highly respected or revered.