“And after you have suffered for a little whole, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10 ESV
This Bible verse is a really important one. I want you to be encouraged by it for your own life as I share the things I’ve learned about it in my own life.
A friend of mine gave this verse to me after I had gone through the most unbelievably difficult time of my life – I was physically, mentally and emotionally spent. When I received it, it felt like hope just exploded inside me! I pictured the Lord seated on his throne in heaven, getting up and personally coming to my aid – He himself would restore, then confirm, then strengthen then establish me. It was very personal. That’s the first thing I want YOU to know – this is a very personal promise from the Lord FOR YOU!
The next thing I realized was that the Lord would work these 4 things out in stages. It’s super important to know that He is a God who provides a process. He allows us to go through things that bring us to the end of ourselves so that we won’t be able to manage in our own strength. Then he builds us back up one layer at a time as we depend on Him. That’s what this verse of Scripture means:
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ …For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 &10 (b)
As we learn to live in dependence on Him, he will restore us – heal us – build us up, after we’ve been weakened by trials. Body, soul and spirit, He heals and restores what has been lost or damaged in our lives through our time of testing. Consider how God healed Job and restored what he had lost after a very severe time of suffering. Take a look at Job 42!
Then He will confirm us. What does that mean and why do we need it? What I believe it means is this: I think we feel unsure of ourselves to some degree after getting beat up and bruised by hard circumstances. We need to be reminded of who we really are and remember what God has called us to. So through His Word, His people and by His Holy Spirit, He confirms us so that we regain our confidence.
Next He will strengthen us. I believe that comes when we are able to be trusted with strength again, which means that we are very much dependent on Him in the midst of any strength He entrusts us with. Moses was said to have been the meekest man on earth. He was very strong – meekness is not weakness but rather it is strength that has been harnessed. He was a prince who was weakened by 40 years in the wilderness after killing an Egyptian. Then God visited him at the burning bush and commissioned him to lead Israel out of bondage. He was ready, even though he didn’t feel like it. He was entrusted again with strength to live out his calling as he walked in dependence on God.
Then He establishes us. To establish means “…to be set up on a firm foundation or permanent basis…to achieve permanent acceptance or recognition for…” I think this means He puts you exactly where you’re supposed to be with the people you’re supposed to be with and the resources you need to fulfill the calling He has given you. I’ve been watching Him do just that in my life in this season and I believe this is where He’s taking YOU!
I’m so grateful for each and every part of this process and I understand now what God has had in mind in each season. I hope this gives you some much needed perspective.
Maybe you could use some help with getting perspective for your own life. If you do, I have a special offer for you – and it’s half price right now!
With love and prayers,
Terri
