So Also

I Peter 4 say but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.

Yesterday we said that we can rejoice at the bottom of a pit, because we know our rescuer is near.

One of the ways to rejoice in suffering is to give thanks. 

When we are sick, in need of finances, looking for a miracle – we can begin to give thanks and rejoice in God’s provision in the past, and thank him in advance for the future.

We can rejoice that our sins have been forgiven, that we will not die but will live forever with Him – complete and whole (we could stop right there and spend a silly amount of time rejoicing about this one thing!).

We can rejoice and give thanks for our friends, our jobs, our food, our homes, our cars and all sorts of tangible, physical things.

We can rejoice over victories and accomplishments of those in our lives, as well as our own.

Get the picture?

Even in suffering, we can keep on rejoicing…so that when the answer and the rescue comes…we will be complete!