Slow Mo: Overcoming a Bad Decision – Friday
1 Peter 5:10
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. (NLT)
Maybe you’ve gathered this by now, but I didn’t actually get a lot of cleaning up and organizing done in the garage a few weekends ago. It was hot, I was distracted by eraser tops and little Transformer figures, and I was perusing eBay trying to find a value on an encapsulated silver eagle coin and various Disney mementos. There’s always this weekend, right?
Hopefully this week has been encouraging to you; I know for me, digging into my own life and recent misadventures to make some connections for this week’s devotions has revealed a lot that I can learn! As we conclude the week, I’d like to connect with you in a real way, one last time, on something I struggle with.
Today’s verse from 1 Peter frustrates me. I really and truly don’t want to suffer, even for a little while, and at times, it feels unfair. Further, when I experience discomfort and suffering, I get self-centered and tunnel-visioned. Suffering caused by my past is a double-whammy in this regard — I start feeling bad all over again, and I put my head down and try to soldier on, typically leaving a wake of chaos in my path.
That’s probably why Peter precedes today’s verse with verses 6-9:
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.
When we humble ourselves and recognize our situation isn’t unique but that our good Savior is, we are in a position to actually “clean up” our circumstances, relationships, and decisions. We face suffering and an enemy that will capitalize on our vulnerabilities, but we serve a good God who teaches us to stand firm, providing a firm foundation. I know I need to remember this more often — how about you?
Friday’s Reflection
What can you do today to ensure that when you face suffering, you remember God’s promise to be with you through it? Joining a group can be an amazing way to partner with other people through life’s circumstances and, together, find ways to walk toward Jesus as you go through them!
