Steadfast in suffering

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. – 1 Peter 5.8-11

I think it is becoming pretty clear that suffering is part of what we as Christians are to expect. Peter has talked about it a lot and he is not done yet. We have already seen that we have brethren all over the world today who are suffering and we may see the same. 

In addition to the resisting the devil here we have an instruction on how to deal with the suffering which may be a part of the devil’s attack. 

Be steadfast in your faith. No matter how bad it gets we just need to keep on going. When we think we are suffering we need to remember that that is the norm. The same sufferings are experienced by our ‘brotherhood in this world.’ 

There is a key character trait here that we need to grasp. It is a trait that we see exemplified by Bible character after Bible character. I just read a book about Joseph so he is the one who comes to mind. Even through all of his sufferings and struggles and false imprisonments he stayed faithful. Through many dangers toils and snares he remained steadfast in his faith that God would carry Him through. 

God will give us the amazing grace we need to remain steadfast no matter what we face. We simply need to trust that He can do it and obey His word. 

I don’t know what the future holds. I am glad I don’t. It looks kind of scary. But no matter what I need to remember that God will give me the strength to get through it. All I have to do is to is trust Him enough to stay true and faithful and steadfast to Him.