After You’ve Suffered

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.

1 Peter 5:10

CARLY FOUND THE truth of this verse one night after suffering through a terrible divorce and custody trial. Her husband did everything but snatch her children and go into hiding. But God protected her, and she won the case. Then she realized how great her legal expenses were.

She took an extra job, worked hard, and began slowly paying the bills. One day her boss called her into his office and told her what a great job she was doing. He then asked if she would like a promotion. Her new job doubled her salary. Today she says, “You know, I thought my life was over. But God came through. I went through the valley of the shadow and came out the other end onto a beach!”

Every Christian, when he or she has faced suffering, has asked, “Why me? What did I do wrong? When will this end? Why is God letting this happen to me?”

It’s natural to ask such questions. Often, God does not answer until you actually emerge from the trial, perhaps years later, free and whole.

Notice what Peter said: “after you have suffered a little while.”

Going through cancer treatments, depression counseling, or seemingly endless persecution can seem like forever. But God promises it is indeed only “a little while.” You can trust that the end will come, and then God will restore you and put you back on that foundation that will never allow you to slip.