God told Jeremiah he would make him like an iron pillar (1:18). But unlike an iron pillar, the prophet
was still human, and had all the emotions each of us has. He didn’t like being hated; he didn’t like
prophesying destruction. But he couldn’t stop preaching God’s message (verse 9). So he trusted
God to be with him as he steadfastly carried out his heartbreaking ministry.

• God never promised his followers an easy ride through life. Few of us face the extreme physical threats Jeremiah (and many others, including Jesus) faced. But Jeremiah’s story can lead us all to ask: what is my faith worth? Rejection? Poverty? Physical danger? Have you worked through good answers to this question with God yet?
•  Too often, we believe we should act as though nothing bothers us when we face tough times. Jeremiah, like the psalmists, penned several “laments” like this one. In what ways do you express pain or sadness? Are you able to share those concerns honestly with God? Is there someone in your life you can trust to share your feelings with?