Portraits of Grace

John MacArthur: This is John MacArthur with more Portraits of Grace. Everybody needs encouragement in the midst of life's difficult ups and downs, and reassuring words are even more vital when we try to deal with trials in a godly manner. Trials can easily tempt us to be discouraged and doubt God's love. That likely was happening to believers in Peter's time.

The Emperor Nero coated many, including children, in pitch and used them as human torches. With such cruel persecution going on, Peter reassured believers of God's love even as he told them the trials they were enduring were all within God's plan.

I want to reassure you just as Peter did the readers of his epistle that troubles and trials come for a purpose. They are a part of life and, even though they might catch you off guard and be painful, God has a purpose and His purpose fulfills His love. Be a portrait of grace by responding properly even to the hardest things.