ourselves, but in God who raises the dead” (2 Cor. 1:8–9; cf. 12:7–10). Third, God allows bad things to happen to His people to remind them of their heavenly hope. Paul revealed the path of trials to hope when he told the Romans, “We also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint” (Rom. 5:3–5; cf. 2 Cor. 4:17–18). Trials take believers to the place where they hope for