And lasting hope is possible because God is preparing you for eternity.

God is using everything in your life—the good, the bad, and the ugly—to get you ready. When you understand this, life begins to make sense. You stop asking, “Lord, why is this happening?” because you know why.

The Bible says, “Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world” (1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT).

Those verses describe several truths that are the same today as they were in Peter’s day.

• Problems are temporary. They won’t last forever. But God is using those trials for his purposes.
• Problems are necessary. They are an indispensable part of preparing you for heaven.
• Problems are varied. You’ll experience trials of all different shapes, sizes, and levels of intensity.
• Problems test your faith. You build muscles by testing them. The same is true with your faith.
• Problems purify your motives. God is much more interested in your character than your comfort. He’ll use trials to refine your character.
• Problems prepare you for your rewards. The trials you’re going through now don’t compare to the rewards of heaven.

No doubt, the troubles you’re experiencing now aren’t fun. But the Bible makes it clear they can result in something good. They’ll make your faith stronger.

That’s why you can have hope no matter what’s going on in your life right now.