There’s a difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is circumstantial — it comes and goes based on what happens around us. Joy is deeper, more rooted. It’s not based on our circumstances, and that’s exactly what makes it last. Pastor Josh White opened up 1 Peter 1:6–9 this week and pointed us to the source of true, lasting joy: our faith in Jesus Christ.
Confidence in Our Inheritance
Peter writes to believers who are about to face persecution. Before he gets into the trials, though, he reminds them what they already have: an inheritance kept in heaven for them. Not an inheritance they earned or deserve — one that’s guarded by God Himself.
“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials.”
— 1 Peter 1:6
The Greek word Peter uses here for “rejoice” isn’t the common word for happiness. It’s a much stronger term — it means to greatly rejoice. Peter isn’t telling us to just feel good about our circumstances. He’s telling us to overflow with joy because of what God has secured for us.
Think about it: Peter wrote these words roughly thirty years after watching Jesus ascend into heaven. He hadn’t physically seen Christ in three decades — but his joy had only grown. That’s evidence that his joy was real. Not based on a feeling or a moment. Based on truth.
When Faith Gets Tested
That’s the first way our faith produces joy. The second is this: our faith produces joy because when it’s tested, it proves to be genuine.
“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.”
— 1 Peter 1:7
Trials are temporary (verse 6 says “for a little while”), and they’re necessary. God doesn’t waste hard times — He uses them to prove our faith is real. And here are five specific reasons why He allows it:
1. To Humble Us
Paul begged God three times to remove his “thorn in the flesh.” God’s answer? “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” God humbled Paul so he would stop relying on himself and lean on divine strength instead (2 Corinthians 12:7–9).
2. To Wean Us from the World
Jesus said it plainly: “In the world you will have tribulation.” God lets us experience disappointment with what the world offers so we stop looking to it for satisfaction. Think of the Prodigal Son — he ran hard after what the world promised and came back broke, realizing his father’s provision was all he ever needed (John 16:33).
3. To Enable Us to Help Others
God comforts us in our affliction so that we can comfort others in theirs. Real fellowship often comes through shared pain — a broken relationship, a financial struggle, a loss. When we’ve walked through something hard and felt God’s comfort, we’re equipped to walk alongside someone else (2 Corinthians 1:3–4).
4. To Discipline Us
God disciplines His children because He loves them and has a better plan for them. That moment of conviction when you get caught doing something wrong? That might be God stepping in. “The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It’s painful in the moment, but it yields the “peaceful fruit of righteousness” (Hebrews 12:5–12).
5. To Strengthen Us
Do you want a faith you hope is real — or a faith you know is real? James tells us to “count it all joy” when we face trials because the testing of our faith produces steadfastness. And steadfastness, when it has its full effect, makes us “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2–4).
So What?
This Thanksgiving season, we’re quick to list our blessings — family, health, freedom. Those are good things. But there’s something deeper: our salvation. Our inheritance in heaven. The proven genuineness of our faith.
As you sit at the table this week, consider being thankful not just for comfortable things, but also for the hard things. The times God humbled you. The disappointments that drove you back to Him. The pain that taught you to comfort others. The conviction that redirected your path. The trials that proved your faith isn’t just wishful thinking — it’s real.
True joy isn’t found in circumstances going our way. It’s found in an inheritance that can’t be stolen, a faith that’s been tested and holds firm, and a God who uses every single trial for our good.
Scripture References
- 1 Peter 1:6–9 — Joy in Trials and the Proven Faith
- Philippians 4:4 — Rejoice in the Lord Always
- Romans 15:13 — The God of Hope Fills Us with Joy
- John 16:33 — In Christ, Peace; In the World, Tribulation
- 2 Corinthians 12:7–9 — Paul’s Thorn and God’s Grace
- 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 — Comfort So We Can Comfort Others
- Hebrews 12:5–12 — The Lord’s Discipline
- James 1:2–4 — Counting Trials as Joy