This verse is a breath of fresh air, it’s a verse about holding onto hope in the midst of hardship. It’s a reminder to hold onto the gospel and the truths we know to be true; because hope is right around the corner. As I read my Bible this morning, this verse popped out for several reasons.
2 Peter 1:19 reminds me of the hope of Easter, which is ultimately the hope of the gospel, and the foundation of my life. Friday was a dark, sad, desperate, and hopeless day. Those who loved Jesus, felt like they lost their one true hope, their best friend, and their Savior. I can’t even fathom the pain those who loved Jesus felt on that traumatic Friday; the desperation and traumatic symptoms they experienced. To have lost their one true hope to such a gruesome and awful death. I am sure they were experiencing all the Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms (PTSD) symptoms…
[PTSD Symptoms]
Flashbacks: Feeling like the traumatic event is happening again.
Nightmares: Disturbing dreams related to the trauma.
Intrusive thoughts: Unwanted and persistent memories or thoughts about the event.
Intense distress: Experiencing significant emotional or physical distress when reminded of the trauma.
aggressive.
Avoiding thoughts, feelings, or situations: Trying to avoid reminders of the trauma, including thoughts, feelings, people, places, or situations.
Avoiding discussing the trauma: Not wanting to talk about the traumatic event.
Avoiding memories: Trying to avoid remembering the traumatic event.
Negative thoughts about oneself and others: Holding negative beliefs about oneself or the world.
Difficulty experiencing positive emotions: Feeling numb or detached, or having difficulty experiencing joy or happiness.
Feeling detached from others: Feeling isolated and disconnected from others.
Hypervigilance: Being constantly on edge or alert, feeling like danger is imminent.
Startle response: Being easily startled by loud noises or unexpected events.
Sleep problems: Having difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing nightmares.
On this side, 2 thousand of years later, we read the story with significant desensitization, we didn’t live through the trauma and it’s a story many have heard over and over since childhood. It can be so easy to take Easter, Jesus’s death, and the resurrection for granted. Let us not forget the level of suffering Jesus endured for us to have hope on Earth and hope of Eternity in Heaven.
Let us not forget that those who loved Jesus suffered as well…
As a counselor and an empath, I often find myself stepping into other people’s shoes and stories, to ponder what they were feeling / experiencing during a difficult experience. As I ponder what it would feel like to have been a faithful follower of Jesus, his friend, his mother, or his Father (God); Tears enter into my eyes. They felt ALL OF IT… The hopelessness, sadness, trauma, darkness, numbness, fear, etc. Therefore, when I read through this verse and attempt to meditate on the resurrection and pain endured, I find the hope of 2 Peter 1:19 and the resurrection comforting on a deep level.
2 Peter 1:19 “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable and you will do well to pay attention to it, as a light shining in a dark place until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”
Matthew 28:6 “He is not here; he has risen!”
Therefore, as a reminder of enduring difficult journeys in our life and painful trials, some that seem to last forever. This is a profound truth that if we keep our eyes focused on Jesus, maintain our focus on God in hard times, the morning star will rise in our hearts. Jesus was crucified on Friday… but he AROSE on Sunday! Praise the Lord!
Blessings, Crystal
The Flame Within 
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