Finding Hope and Strength Through Suffering

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Grace Sustains Us Through Suffering

God’s grace is the foundation that carries us through every trial and hardship we face. Even when suffering seems overwhelming, God’s unmerited favor is present, equipping us with comfort, strength, and hope. Grace is not something we earn, but a gift that covers, sustains, and mends us, reminding us that we are never alone in our struggles. When we look back, we can see how God’s grace has provided for us in ways we did not deserve and could not have imagined. [31:53]

1 Peter 5:10 (KJV)
"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, stablish, strengthen, settle you."

Reflection: When have you experienced God’s grace in a season of suffering, and how did it change your perspective on what you were going through?

Day 2: Suffering Prepares Us for Eternal Glory

Suffering is not meaningless or endless for the believer; it is a tool God uses to prepare us for the glory that awaits. Through trials, God is maturing us, equipping us, and fitting us together for His purposes. Just as athletes endure rigorous training to share in the victory, we share in Christ’s sufferings so that we may also share in His glory. Our hardships are not punishments, but opportunities to become more like Jesus and to look forward with hope to our eternal home. [36:39]

Romans 5:3-4 (KJV)
"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope."

Reflection: What is one way your current or past suffering has helped you grow in Christlikeness or deepened your hope in God’s promises?

Day 3: God Establishes and Confirms Our Faith

God uses suffering to establish us firmly in our faith, so that we are not easily shaken by life’s storms or led astray by false teachings. Like a well-built structure anchored to a solid foundation, our lives are secured by Christ and braced by the truth of God’s Word. When we are confirmed in our faith, we remain steadfast and unmovable, able to withstand trials and remain faithful even when circumstances are difficult. [40:32]

Psalm 62:6 (KJV)
"He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need God to help you stand firm, and what practical step can you take today to anchor yourself more deeply in His Word?

Day 4: God Renews Our Strength in Weakness

When suffering leaves us feeling weak and weary, God promises to renew our strength as we wait on Him. This waiting is not passive, but an active reliance on God’s power rather than our own. Just as muscles grow stronger through resistance, our spiritual strength increases as we trust God through life’s challenges. Each time we are knocked down, God gives us the strength to rise again, making us stronger and more resilient for the journey ahead. [45:40]

Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)
"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Reflection: Where do you feel most weary right now, and how can you intentionally seek God’s strength instead of relying on your own today?

Day 5: Our Foundation in Christ Brings Lasting Hope

God stabilizes our lives by placing us on the unshakeable foundation of Christ. No matter how fierce the storms of life may be, our souls are anchored in the Lord, and our hope is made stronger through every trial. For the believer, suffering does not lead to despair but to greater hope, because we know that God is working all things for our good and preparing us for eternal satisfaction in His presence. [51:28]

Matthew 7:24-25 (KJV)
"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can remind yourself today that your hope and security are anchored in Christ, no matter what storms you face?

Sermon Summary

Today is a day to rejoice and be glad, for God has given us another opportunity to worship, to lift our hands, and to praise His holy name. We are reminded through Psalm 23 that the Lord is our shepherd, guiding us, restoring us, and providing for us even in the darkest valleys. God’s grace and mercy are ever-present, covering our faults and meeting our needs, and we are called to approach Him with gratitude, humility, and a heart ready to worship.

As we gather, we are not just individuals but a community on mission—to bear witness to the truth of the gospel, to imitate Christ’s love, and to shine His light in a world that desperately needs hope. Prayer is our lifeline, connecting us to the source of all strength, peace, and provision. Whether in times of joy or in the storms of life, we are encouraged to pray without ceasing, trusting that God hears and responds to the cries of His people.

Turning to 1 Peter 5:10, we see that suffering is a reality for every believer, not as punishment, but as a means by which God matures, equips, and prepares us for eternal glory. Suffering is not the end of the story; it is a tool in God’s hand to restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. Just as an athlete endures rigorous training to share in the victory, so too do we endure trials to share in Christ’s glory. God’s grace is sufficient, and He places a time limit on our suffering—joy comes in the morning.

Through suffering, God brings restoration, mending what is broken and fitting us for service. He confirms us, establishing our faith so we are not easily swayed by trials or false teachings. He rejuvenates us, giving us strength to meet life’s demands, especially when we feel weakest. And He stabilizes us, anchoring our souls on the firm foundation of His Word. For the believer, suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope. Our pain is not permanent, and our trials are not wasted; they are the pathway from suffering to satisfaction, from brokenness to glory. Hold on to God’s unchanging hand, for the best is yet to come.

Key Takeaways

1. Suffering is a tool God uses to restore and mature us, not a sign of His absence or punishment. Through our trials, God is equipping us for greater service and preparing us for eternal glory. The process of restoration is about mending and fitting us together for His purpose, much like a craftsman repairing a net for future use. [36:39]
2. God confirms and establishes us in our faith, making us steadfast and unmovable even when storms arise. Just as a structure needs a solid foundation and proper bracing, our lives require the foundation of Christ and the support of His Word to withstand adversity. When God confirms us, we are not easily swayed by persecution, temptation, or false doctrine. [40:32]
3. Rejuvenation comes through God’s strength, especially in our weakest moments. Suffering often leaves us feeling depleted, but as we wait on the Lord—actively seeking and relying on Him—He renews our strength. Each trial we overcome builds spiritual muscle, enabling us to face future challenges with greater resilience and faith. [45:40]
4. Stabilization is God’s promise to anchor us on a firm foundation, so that nothing can shake us. The storms of life may rage, but when our souls are anchored in the Lord, we remain secure. This stability is not self-made but is the result of God’s work in us, ensuring that our hope endures and our faith remains unshaken. [51:28]
5. For the believer, suffering is never wasted; it produces perseverance, character, and hope. Unlike the world, which may lose hope in hardship, the Christian finds deeper assurance and anticipation of God’s promises. Our suffering is temporary, and through it, God moves us from pain to gain, from brokenness to satisfaction, always with the assurance that the best is yet to come. [52:36]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Call to Worship & Scripture Reading
[02:10] - Opening Prayer
[04:24] - Responsive Reading
[05:32] - Praise and Worship
[07:15] - Announcements
[12:00] - Intercessory Prayer
[17:07] - God’s Sufficiency in Our Needs
[19:36] - Prayer for the World and Community
[22:00] - Offering and Giving
[28:26] - Prayer for the Word
[29:35] - Introduction to 1 Peter 5:10
[31:53] - Why Do We Suffer?
[34:53] - God’s Four Promises in Suffering
[36:39] - Restoration Through Suffering
[40:32] - Confirmation and Establishment
[45:40] - Rejuvenation and Strength in Weakness
[49:51] - Stabilization and Firm Foundation
[52:36] - Suffering Produces Hope
[54:00] - Invitation and Closing Prayer
[67:18] - Benediction and Farewell

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Peter 5:10 (KJV) — > "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, stablish, strengthen, settle you."

Observation Questions

In 1 Peter 5:10, what four things does God promise to do for believers after they have suffered for a while?
According to the sermon, what does it mean when the Bible says God will “make you perfect” or “restore” you? [[36:39]]
What illustration did the pastor use to explain the importance of having a strong foundation in our faith? [[40:32]]
How does the sermon describe the process of gaining strength through suffering, using the example of lifting weights? [[45:40]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Peter say suffering is necessary for believers, and how does the sermon explain the purpose behind it? [[31:53]]
The pastor said that suffering is not a punishment but a tool God uses. How does this change the way a believer might view hard times? [[36:39]]
What does it mean for God to “establish” or “confirm” us in our faith, and how does this help us when we face storms in life? [[40:32]]
The sermon mentions that suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope. How does this compare to how the world views suffering? [[52:36]]

Application Questions

The pastor said, “God puts a time limit on your suffering—joy comes in the morning.” Is there a situation in your life right now where you need to be reminded that your pain is temporary? How can you hold on to hope in that area? [[31:53]]
Think about a recent trial or hardship you’ve faced. In what ways did you see God restoring or “mending” you through that experience? [[36:39]]
The sermon talked about being “anchored” in God’s Word so we’re not easily shaken. What is one practical way you can strengthen your foundation in God’s Word this week? [[40:32]]
When you feel weak or worn out by life’s challenges, how do you usually respond? What would it look like for you to “wait on the Lord” and rely on His strength instead of your own? [[45:40]]
The pastor used the example of lifting heavier weights to get stronger. Is there an area in your spiritual life where you feel God is “increasing the weight” to help you grow? How can you respond with faith instead of frustration? [[45:40]]
The sermon said, “For the believer, suffering is never wasted.” Can you share a time when a difficult season led to growth in your character or hope? [[52:36]]
As a church community, how can we support each other when someone is going through suffering, so that no one feels alone in their trials? [[17:07]]

Sermon Clips

The believer does not want to hear about suffering, but sometimes we ask the question, why do we suffer? Why do we go through things in life? One, because we are a fallen race. We were wonderful before the fall. There was no sickness, no sorrow, no death. When God created this world, there was no evil when God created this world, but then after the fall of Adam and Eve, now we have to worry and deal with things that God had never intended for us to deal with. [00:31:43] (42 seconds) #fallenRaceSuffering

And so we suffer because of the attacks on of the adversary. Somebody in here knows that Satan is trying to seek us out, to test us, and to destroy us. Satan is not a person who only attacks adults, but Satan also attacks our children as well. And this is not new. He's been attacking and persecuting believers for centuries. [00:32:25] (32 seconds) #spiritualWarfareEndures

And so in this text, when the phrase, the God of all grace speaks of God as the source of all of our spiritual comfort and help for every occasion, but what gets us through is that God's grace will be sufficient for us. And Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 12 and 9, he says that the Lord said, my grace is sufficient. And somebody in here, you've experienced God's grace in your life. Grace is unmerited favor. Somebody in here knows that God has blessed you with something that you did not deserve. He's blessed you with things in life that you could not afford. And grace will sustain. Grace will cover. Grace grace will comfort. Grace will soothe. Grace will mend. Grace will fix it. Somebody here knows that the grace of God is amazing. [00:32:56] (64 seconds) #graceSustainsAll

Through our suffering, God is preparing us for glory. So, we are being prepared to come into an eternal glory, even though for a little while we are suffering right now. And so he says he is perfecting us. He's maturing us. And this word in the Greek is not the same, perfecting, that means to make spiritually mature. But the word translated, make you perfect, means to equip, to adjust, and to fit together. [00:35:51] (48 seconds) #sufferingPreparesForGlory

And so God has several tools, which he uses to equip his people for life and for service. And watch this, suffering is one of them. And it means to put the right parts in the right relationship and connection with one another. Watch this, suffering is beneficial. And somebody say, how can suffering be beneficial? Well, I've come to realize that if I've never suffered, I will never know how good God's grace can be in my life. [00:36:46] (36 seconds) #sufferingBuildsGrace

Our hearts need to be established. And this is accomplished by God's truth of his word. And so the believer who is established, watch this, will not be moved by persecution or be led away by false doctrine. It amazes me how quickly folks want to turn from the church as soon as some drama or things happen in this world, in the life of the church. And they want to run and turn their backs from church. But can I tell you, if it had not been for the church, that we would not have the word of God in order to let us know that everything will work out for our good. [00:40:32] (51 seconds) #faithEstablishedUnshakable

God has a way of giving you strength that when folk hate on you, it didn't do you like it did before. When financial trouble come in your life, you don't have the anxiety that you had before. When you've got some haters in your life, you're not worried about them. Because watch this, God has given you strength in order to overcome your situation. [00:48:00] (24 seconds) #strengthToRiseAgain

Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. How do we receive this strength from the Lord? So we receive it as we wait on the Lord. Now watch this, this idea of waiting is not to be passive. Sitting around until the Lord does something. God gives us strength, but we don't expect it to come as if he were pouring it on us as we sit passively. But watch this, he brings strength to us as we seek him, rely on him, watch this, instead of our own strength. [00:48:50] (44 seconds) #firmFoundationInChrist

We thank you that we can move from suffering to satisfaction But we gotta hold on to your unchanging hand And when times get rough, we gotta stay established We gotta stay strong Not in our own strength, but in the strength that you give to each and every one of us And so God, we pray that as we leave this place, we never leave your presence Continue to bless us and keep us to him Be the glory Dominion and power forever and ever. [01:08:41] (31 seconds)

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