The Apostle Peter, writing about 30 years after Jesus Christ had been raised from the dead, took up his pen to say something encouraging to a group of very beleaguered Christians in Asia Minor.

They were being abused by overbearing bosses.

They were being criticized and threatened by unbelieving spouses, and they were being ridiculed

by skeptical associates and neighbors.

That's the background of First Peter.

And on the horizon, they're loomed up a much more violent persecution on the way.

And the question that this raised for those believers there in Asia Minor,

and the question that I think is raised for us today is how can we have the power of soul?

How can we have the power of soul in times of great stress and anxiety to not just endure the evil day, but to be joyful and to fill our lives with the fruits of righteousness,

with deeds of kindness and projects of mercy and labors of love.

How when your life is threatened or your job is threatened or your health or your

marriage or your respect in the community how when your life is threatened, can you have the power to rise up with joy and

bless those who abuse you and do them good?

It takes a power to fill your life with good deeds. When you're under stress,

it takes more than power, at least more than human power.

When your life is falling apart,

the power that it takes to love those who seem to be a part of that is divine, supernatural.

If that's what we're called to do,

then we're gonna have to look beyond ourselves for help. And as you all know, the Bible and especially

First Peter does not lighten our load by saying, well, when things are going tough, it's okay to think about yourself and not

worry too much about other people.

In fact, Peter seems to say in his letter that the tougher the times, the

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