“…you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible” 1 Peter 1:8
When was the last time you experienced joy so profound that words couldn’t capture it? Perhaps it was the birth of a child, a significant anniversary, or a moment of triumph. We often connect joy with these treasured life moments. Peter writes of a joy so deep that it defies description. But keep in mind, he’s addressing people in the midst of hardships, encouraging them to “greatly rejoice” despite their pain. As followers of Jesus, we can experience this same unspeakable joy, no matter what we face.
Peter explains the foundation of unspeakable joy in 1 Peter 1:6. “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials.” The “in this” points us to the unshakable blessings God has given us. We’re saved by His grace, anchored in a living hope, assured of an eternal inheritance, sheltered under His divine protection, and granted trials with a purpose—to refine us like pure gold (1 Peter 1:2-7).
Notice that Peter doesn’t urge us to be “happy” about our circumstances. Joy and happiness aren’t the same. Happiness depends on our situation, but joy is rooted in the knowledge that God is at work, even in our struggles. We can grieve and rejoice at the same time, because our faith rests not on passing emotions but on eternal truths. Even in our hardest moments, we can cling to joy because we know God is in control, and this world is not our home.
This joy is essential to living out our Christian faith. It’s anchored in our identity in Christ—a knowledge that empowers us to face trials with hope. This is why knowing Scripture and understanding the doctrines of our faith are so crucial. If we only rely on what we feel, our faith may falter. But when we rest on what we know and believe from God’s Word, we’re equipped to stand firm.
Are you in the middle of a difficult season? Take time to read 1 Peter 1:1-9 and thank God for the salvation, hope, and eternal inheritance you have in Him. Remember, it’s not the pain itself that we rejoice in, but the purpose God has for us in it. He is using every trial to build us for the glory of the world to come. And that’s a reason for joy—joy that words can’t fully express.
