"And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." 1 Peter 5:10 NET Bible
Life has a way of hurting us sometimes. Sometimes it hits us in one area of our lives while other areas are just fine. Every now and then, however, life hits us so hard in every area of our lives all at once that we can barely see through the thick fog that clouds the road ahead of us. Some things we cause on ourselves while other times, we are just another victim of the trouble Jesus promised we would have in life.
Sometimes seasons last for a while, and when those seasons cause pain it seems that they last for an eternity. Often, we do things to try and speed up the difficult seasons we face. Even though we know that those seasons have a purpose it can still be so hard finding a way to deal with the harshness of those tumultuous times. All we see is the pain we face, so it can be extremely hard to fix our eyes on the One who is walking with us through it all.
Keeping our eyes on God, much less having faith that He hears our cries during these moments can seem like an impossibility, especially when it seems there is no end to these heart wrenching seasons in sight. You wonder how God could be okay with what you're going through. You wonder if you're going through these traumatic experiences because seemingly God doesn't care that you're stuck in this moment that is sucking the life out of you.
But "afterwhile".
Even though I see this word in the dictionary, it still doesn't feel grammatically correct to use it. However, I remember hearing "old folks" use it in conversations or in songs when I was growing up, so for the sake of this post I will roll with it.
It never feels good to go through hardship and various trials in life. Sometimes it seems downright pointless. However, I have learned that "afterwhile" God delivers us from every single thing that we come up against. He has made it evident to me that not one single tear that drops from our eyes has nor will they ever be wasted, and "afterwhile" we see the purpose for the pain. I am now clear that "afterwhile" when the storm has blown past what will be left standing is a stronger and better you.
There is a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). There is not one thing that we go through in this life that is without purpose. I think back on the times when I wasn't walking with God, and the fact that He never took His grace from me let me know that even those wild days in my life had purpose. If not for those times in my life I wouldn't be able to share with others what I learned when I was living a far less than holy lifestyle. Even in those moments in my life God was using the not so good things to work for my good and for His glory (Romans 8:28). So, even though I was weighed down in sin, God knew that "afterwhile" I would finally answer His sweet and tender whispers to return to His unending love for me.
When I think back on the most painful times in my life and all the nights I fell asleep with wet pillows, I now know that each tear had a divine purpose. The thing I know is that it sometimes takes pain to soften our hearts and help us understand how to be compassionate to others. So often I asked God to give me a heart full of grace and compassion towards others; unfortunately, sometimes the ONLY way to live out Ephesians 4:32 is to go through some hurt and pain to help us achieve this kind of love towards others. Though those moments feel like they will last forever, "afterwhile" we are able to find strength to pick ourselves up and move on with the ability to love again, trust again and be even more compassionate than we were before.
Of course, the ultimate way to achieve the kind of love God wants us to have for each other is to remember what God does for us everyday. And guess what, in order for Him to show us this kind of love something heartbreaking happened to Him as well; He had to allow His only Son to be the sacrifice made to prove His unfailing love for us (John 3:16). Although it seemed that all hope was lost when Jesus' disciples saw Him take His last breath, "afterwhile" He rose with all power and conquered spiritual death with absolute finality.
It's not very hard to despise the unfortunate things we go through in life, but we know that those things build many things within us (Romans 5:3-5; James 1:3-4). God doesn't allow us to go through things without His divine will in mind. That's why when we go through life's difficulties it's so important to respect the process. The growing process can be unpleasant, and if we're not careful we can allow those things to make us bitter. These are the moments that we should actually rejoice in the most because we know that God is interested in seeing us grow so that we can be better used for the Kingdom. During these times we must open our minds and hearts to God and what He wants us to learn from each of these struggles.
Oftentimes, these are the moments God wants to reveal something about ourselves to us. For example, I have an extremely mean streak. Truth is, I can sometimes be a lot to handle. Recently God had to give me a good spanking and made me take a long hard look in the mirror at myself. My instructions were to ONLY look at Scheri and where I went wrong. It didn't feel very good for Him to show me some things. Not to mention the fact that I thought He was being quite unfair to make me take so much of the responsibility for what had happened in that situation.
Isn't it always easier to point the finger at someone else than take the blame for our part in a situation? God wouldn't let me off the hook though. He wanted me to see where I was wrong so that I wouldn't have to travel this path in the exact same manner again. He also told me that it isn't my job to convict the heart of others with my words, but rather, I have a responsibility to live out His word and let my actions speak more clearly to the hearts of others. It took many weeks of prayer (and I am still praying) and much time spent in the Word in order for me to follow God's instructions with a willing heart regarding that situation. See, after much prayer and constantly seeking God through His Word, "afterwhile" it becomes easier for us to understand why God allows certain circumstances into our lives. At the end, what He desires most is a son or daughter that reflects more of His image. When we absolutely give in to what He's wanting to do in our lives, "afterwhile" it will be evident to others that God is doing a new work in us and increases our ability to win souls for Christ.
These next few words are perhaps the most vital of this entire post: When we go through life's rough moments, even though we are the one's experiencing the pain, the things that we gain are almost always for someone else.
That's exactly what the death of Jesus was. Sure, He gained His powerful position at the right hand of God, and in the end everyone will have to bow at the name of Jesus, and every tongue will confess that He is the Son of God ("Philippians 2:10-11), but the real reason He endured what He did was for you and me.
When we come out of vexatious seasons of life, God wants us to share the lessons we learned with others as a testament that even though they may be going through something bad, "afterwhile" just as God delivered us He wants to deliver them as well. Conversely, many times we go through things so that others don't have to travel those same paths at all. After all, what Jesus had to go through for our salvation will never again be required of anyone else.
If you're going through a season of unrest right now, be reminded of 1 Peter 5:10. "Afterwhile" God Himself will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you. The Message Bible says it this way: "After you have suffered a little while, our God, who is full of kindness through Christ, will give you his eternal glory. He personally will come and pick you up, and set you firmly in place, and make you stronger than ever."
Remember that God is faithful and will never leave you unprotected (2 Thessalonians 3:3). Remember that the Lord is close to those who call on Him (Psalm 145:18). When moments in life are hard, fight with ALL the strength you have not to let those things separate you from God because He won't let anything separate Himself from you (Romans 8:35-39). Walking through life without Him will make life seem so much more hopeless. Hold on to your faith, let God teach you what you need to learn and know that "afterwhile" God will make you whole again, leaving you better than you were for His glory and for your good.
Sometimes seasons last for a while, and when those seasons cause pain it seems that they last for an eternity. Often, we do things to try and speed up the difficult seasons we face. Even though we know that those seasons have a purpose it can still be so hard finding a way to deal with the harshness of those tumultuous times. All we see is the pain we face, so it can be extremely hard to fix our eyes on the One who is walking with us through it all.
Keeping our eyes on God, much less having faith that He hears our cries during these moments can seem like an impossibility, especially when it seems there is no end to these heart wrenching seasons in sight. You wonder how God could be okay with what you're going through. You wonder if you're going through these traumatic experiences because seemingly God doesn't care that you're stuck in this moment that is sucking the life out of you.
But "afterwhile".
Even though I see this word in the dictionary, it still doesn't feel grammatically correct to use it. However, I remember hearing "old folks" use it in conversations or in songs when I was growing up, so for the sake of this post I will roll with it.
It never feels good to go through hardship and various trials in life. Sometimes it seems downright pointless. However, I have learned that "afterwhile" God delivers us from every single thing that we come up against. He has made it evident to me that not one single tear that drops from our eyes has nor will they ever be wasted, and "afterwhile" we see the purpose for the pain. I am now clear that "afterwhile" when the storm has blown past what will be left standing is a stronger and better you.
There is a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). There is not one thing that we go through in this life that is without purpose. I think back on the times when I wasn't walking with God, and the fact that He never took His grace from me let me know that even those wild days in my life had purpose. If not for those times in my life I wouldn't be able to share with others what I learned when I was living a far less than holy lifestyle. Even in those moments in my life God was using the not so good things to work for my good and for His glory (Romans 8:28). So, even though I was weighed down in sin, God knew that "afterwhile" I would finally answer His sweet and tender whispers to return to His unending love for me.
When I think back on the most painful times in my life and all the nights I fell asleep with wet pillows, I now know that each tear had a divine purpose. The thing I know is that it sometimes takes pain to soften our hearts and help us understand how to be compassionate to others. So often I asked God to give me a heart full of grace and compassion towards others; unfortunately, sometimes the ONLY way to live out Ephesians 4:32 is to go through some hurt and pain to help us achieve this kind of love towards others. Though those moments feel like they will last forever, "afterwhile" we are able to find strength to pick ourselves up and move on with the ability to love again, trust again and be even more compassionate than we were before.
Of course, the ultimate way to achieve the kind of love God wants us to have for each other is to remember what God does for us everyday. And guess what, in order for Him to show us this kind of love something heartbreaking happened to Him as well; He had to allow His only Son to be the sacrifice made to prove His unfailing love for us (John 3:16). Although it seemed that all hope was lost when Jesus' disciples saw Him take His last breath, "afterwhile" He rose with all power and conquered spiritual death with absolute finality.
It's not very hard to despise the unfortunate things we go through in life, but we know that those things build many things within us (Romans 5:3-5; James 1:3-4). God doesn't allow us to go through things without His divine will in mind. That's why when we go through life's difficulties it's so important to respect the process. The growing process can be unpleasant, and if we're not careful we can allow those things to make us bitter. These are the moments that we should actually rejoice in the most because we know that God is interested in seeing us grow so that we can be better used for the Kingdom. During these times we must open our minds and hearts to God and what He wants us to learn from each of these struggles.
Oftentimes, these are the moments God wants to reveal something about ourselves to us. For example, I have an extremely mean streak. Truth is, I can sometimes be a lot to handle. Recently God had to give me a good spanking and made me take a long hard look in the mirror at myself. My instructions were to ONLY look at Scheri and where I went wrong. It didn't feel very good for Him to show me some things. Not to mention the fact that I thought He was being quite unfair to make me take so much of the responsibility for what had happened in that situation.
Isn't it always easier to point the finger at someone else than take the blame for our part in a situation? God wouldn't let me off the hook though. He wanted me to see where I was wrong so that I wouldn't have to travel this path in the exact same manner again. He also told me that it isn't my job to convict the heart of others with my words, but rather, I have a responsibility to live out His word and let my actions speak more clearly to the hearts of others. It took many weeks of prayer (and I am still praying) and much time spent in the Word in order for me to follow God's instructions with a willing heart regarding that situation. See, after much prayer and constantly seeking God through His Word, "afterwhile" it becomes easier for us to understand why God allows certain circumstances into our lives. At the end, what He desires most is a son or daughter that reflects more of His image. When we absolutely give in to what He's wanting to do in our lives, "afterwhile" it will be evident to others that God is doing a new work in us and increases our ability to win souls for Christ.
These next few words are perhaps the most vital of this entire post: When we go through life's rough moments, even though we are the one's experiencing the pain, the things that we gain are almost always for someone else.
That's exactly what the death of Jesus was. Sure, He gained His powerful position at the right hand of God, and in the end everyone will have to bow at the name of Jesus, and every tongue will confess that He is the Son of God ("Philippians 2:10-11), but the real reason He endured what He did was for you and me.
When we come out of vexatious seasons of life, God wants us to share the lessons we learned with others as a testament that even though they may be going through something bad, "afterwhile" just as God delivered us He wants to deliver them as well. Conversely, many times we go through things so that others don't have to travel those same paths at all. After all, what Jesus had to go through for our salvation will never again be required of anyone else.
If you're going through a season of unrest right now, be reminded of 1 Peter 5:10. "Afterwhile" God Himself will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you. The Message Bible says it this way: "After you have suffered a little while, our God, who is full of kindness through Christ, will give you his eternal glory. He personally will come and pick you up, and set you firmly in place, and make you stronger than ever."
Remember that God is faithful and will never leave you unprotected (2 Thessalonians 3:3). Remember that the Lord is close to those who call on Him (Psalm 145:18). When moments in life are hard, fight with ALL the strength you have not to let those things separate you from God because He won't let anything separate Himself from you (Romans 8:35-39). Walking through life without Him will make life seem so much more hopeless. Hold on to your faith, let God teach you what you need to learn and know that "afterwhile" God will make you whole again, leaving you better than you were for His glory and for your good.