“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.” 1 Peter 5:10
I appreciate this verse for a variety reasons. The first being the reminder that our God is THE God of ALL grace. I need this grace every day but it’s not something easy for me to receive with my background. But I continue to focus on scriptures like these.
What I also love about this is that it lists the benefits we receive when we suffer. Admittedly, there is no time frame promised on how long we will suffer which can make it hard to handle. But if we focus on the benefits, it will help us make it through our struggles. Our Lord says that He will “perfect and establish” us. The definition of establish is to “achieve permanent acceptance.” I LOVE that! The last two benefits really speak to me in my current struggles. He will “strengthen”…..wow…..I need that!
Life is hard. Being a child of God in Satan’s world is hard. Swimming against the current as it were, is hard. But…the Lord promises to give us strength. And last but certainly not least to my heart, is that He will “settle” us. So much of my life, due to the effects of my abuse, has been unsettled. My heart, my mind, even my home….were so UN-settled.
But I am here to testify, that my life is more settled now than I thought possible. I never thought that I would live in the same house for 13 years. I am not saying we are promised that but I am saying that He will settle you in ways you cannot even imagine if you just hang in there when you suffer. Trust in Him and don’t quit and watch the blessings overflow.