1 Peter 5:10 | And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

How many of us have been overcome by the circumstances of our lives at one point or another? It seems like if we’re not in the middle of a difficult situation we have just gotten out of one and the next one always seems to be right around the corner.

The Bible never promises that being a Christ follower will cause us to avoid difficult times and seasons in life. In fact, it says that we will endure difficult times and seasons in life. But it also communicates a promise that God has made to every Christ follower, that we will receive a reward for the trials and difficulties we endure in this life if we grow from them and become more like Christ. God uses our difficulties and suffering to mold us into the image of Christ. As C.S. Lewis said, “God allows us to experience the low points of life in order to teach us lessons that we could learn in no other way.” For our faithfulness in suffering, God not only transforms our lives now but promises to grant us an eternal reward later.

First Peter 5:10 affirms that believers will endure suffering, sometimes intense, but that God’s grace is stronger. He has called us into a saving relationship with Him through Christ and promises to strengthen us during our suffering here and now, but more importantly will complete this saving relationship by delivering us from the suffering we experience here on earth to an eternal glory with Him in heaven. Focusing on this reward is what helps us to endure the difficulties and suffering we experience now.