For many Christians, the salvation God’s grace offers us produce times of awesome joy and peace. But human emotions are volatile and erratic. At times of pain or doubt, even the strongest, most confident Christ-follower may struggle to feel that “the love of God has been poured out in our hearts.” That’s why Paul based our ultimate security not in how we feel at any given moment, but in an event—Jesus valued and loved us so much that he died for us.

• Paul twice used a verb that meant “to rejoice, be very happy.” In verse 2, the Common English Bible renders it “we boast in the hope of God’s glory.” In verse 3, we read, “We even take pride in our problems,” which may be a bit tougher to grasp. When have you experienced the progression of trouble, endurance, character and hope bringing you a powerful sense of God’s love being “poured out” in your heart?
• The Christian faith is not mainly about feelings. Our faith is rooted in a specific history—the history of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Paul said the vital proof of God’s love for us is not how we feel, but the fact that Jesus died for us. Are you secure in the reliability of the witnesses to the story of Jesus?