Suffering- For a Time


Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little.
1 Peter 5:10 HCSB

Suffering, misunderstanding, rejection and abuse are all part of being a Christian. The apostles showed us their ability to endure through suffering. The story of the saints of old show us this very fact. After suffering comes restoration and glory. We have seen David be annointing king and then be chased for years by a mad king, who he would eventually replace; we see Joseph in prison for years for something he discovered not do, only to be released to become prime minister; we see Daniel live out his days in captivity and become an important man in the society he lived it- apart from the Lions den- he lived well in captivity. So many more saints of old, as Hebrews 11 tells us, suffered 'a little' for their faith.

Suffering is a part of life. Trying to avoid it is foolishness. Suffering prunes our character. We grow through suffering, correctly- if our hearts stay focussed ON Christ and not self. In Christ are all the answers. In Christ is strength, support, sustenance. He is enough. Amen!

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