Keeping Your Faith in Difficult TimesSample

THE REASON FOR ADVERSITY

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you (1 Peter 5:10 KJV).”

The epistles of 1st and 2nd Peter were written to offer hope and encouragement to the early Christians during a time in which they were suffering under an extreme wave of persecution. The Apostle Peter gave them practical instructions on how to live a life that is consistent with the life of Christ, even though they were challenged with great adversity. Peter encouraged them to be sober (temperate, calm and collected in spirit) and to be vigilant (watchful, attentive) for their adversary (Satan, the accuser of the brethren) as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8 KJV).

Peter reminded the believers to resist the adversary, to remain steadfast in their faith, and to recognize their fellow Christians were suffering the same persecution throughout the body of Christ (1 Peter 5:9). He assured them their persecution would produce a positive outcome in their lives as believers in Christ.

1 Peter 5:10 names four ways in which adversity enhances the life of the believer. (1) It perfects us. Which means it makes us what we should be. It completes us. (2) Being tried by adversity will establish us. We will be firmly set or made stable. (3) Adversity will strengthen us. We will be fortified, spiritually. (4) We will also be settled. Adversity will make us immovable, such as the foundation of a building. We will become solid and sound in our faith.

Is your faith being tried by adversity in a particular area of your life? Are you discouraged and feeling defeated because you cannot see your way through a life challenging situation? When we endure seasons of adversity, we should always remember the words of Peter to the persecuted body of believers in Christ, “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you." (1 Peter 5:10 KJV)