Our Scripture reading today is 1 Peter 5:10-12.
Verse 10, "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you."
For the most part, we would all say that suffering and trials are not on our to do list this week or any week for that matter. Those two words carry with them all kinds of pain and emotion that the flesh wants nothing to do with. No one looks forward to a child getting sick or hearing the news that the test results came back and it is cancer. On the surface, there is nothing good from the sudden passing of your family member. What is God doing?
The Apostle Peter make it clear that suffering will come, but that it has a greater purpose than our eyes can see. I also like the two words following suffering..."a while." From these two words, I conclude that suffering has a time limit. We can praise the Lord this morning for any suffering or trial in our life. God is using your trial. God is using my suffering for a specific purpose. Notice the last phrase again..."make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle..." All of these words carry with them the idea of spiritual growth and maturation. The trials and suffering of life are what enable us to have strong faith. I think I remember someone saying, "No pain; no gain." I don't think it was a preacher, but the principle applies to the discipleship process. Tested faith is much more trusted! Let's not forget the first statement of verse 10, "...the God of ALL grace." He will supply all the grace we need to suffer for a while.