Hard to swallow, but easy to digest

"All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of the Lord stands forever."
1 Peter 1:24-25

God is my Hope

"But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed
AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED,
but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.

1 Peter 3:14-17

I read this the other night and found comfort knowing that God can be revealed to others simply by my going through trials and hard times. Though some of my circumstances may be heart-wrenching and at times hard to see that I will not always feel so devastated, I do know I have joy in Christ. I have hope. I have faith. I have Him. For all of that, I am already blessed.

Fully Focussed

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed."
-1 Peter 1:13-

A few friends reminded me recently that I am the only one who has to answer to God for the things I did during my life, and that I am the only one who has control over how I handle things and live my life even in the worst of times. God knows that I love Him. I cannot stop living in a life reflective of Him, or put that life on hold, because I am between ending and beginning, waiting for direction. Finally, happiness here is nothing compared to the happiness and peace I will be rewarded with through Jesus Christ and the salvation He is saving for me.

I am thankful I have friends that are able to hear God's messages for me and pass them along. :)