Turn Trials into Triumphs

Grace is God's generous favor to undeserving sinners and needy saints. Peter emphasized God's grace throughout 1 Peter: 1:2,10,13; 3:7; 4:10; 5:5,10,12.


When we depend on God's grace, we can endure suffering and turn trials into triumphs.
It is grace alone that saves us (Ephesians 2:8-10).
God's grace can give us strength in times of trial (2 Corinthians 12:1-10).
Grace enables us to serve God in spite of difficulties (1 Corinthians 15:9-10).
Whatever begins with God's grace will always lead to glory (Ps. 84:11; 1 Peter 5:10).

As we study 1 Peter, we will see how the three themes of suffering, grace, and glory unite to form an encouraging message for believers experiencing times of trial and persecution.
1 Peter 5:10 "But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you"

1 Peter 5:12 "I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it".

My friend, this confident hope gives us the encouragement and enablement we need for daily living. It does not put us in a rocking chair where we complacently await the return of Jesus Christ. Instead, it puts us in the marketplace, on the battlefield, where we keep on going when the burdens are heavy and the battles are hard.—Bible Exposition Commentary

Every follower of Jesus Christ can live every moment of every day with hope if they remember three important truths:
1. Life on Earth is Temporary; our home is in heaven.
Peter reminds us over and over again throughout 1 Peter that we are strangers in this world that this life is not all there is. When you really concentrate on the fact that this is just temporal - it helps to endure whatever may come your way in this life.

2. God uses adversity in this life to strengthen our faith.
Peter reminds us that we will suffer "grief in all kinds of trials" 1 Peter 1:6, yet we can still have hope because God never wastes a hurt. He uses them to strengthen to us and that we can in turn help someone else that is going through same trial.
Peter encourages us to stand firm even through adversity that God would be glorified through our lives.

3. The end of all things is near.
My friend, we are living in the end days which should make us want to live every day for Christ making every moment count for eternity.
These truths that Peter reminds us of throughout 1 Peter should act as a powerful source of hope every day of our life.