The Book of 1st Peter - Suffering Redeemed

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." – 1 Peter 5:10

In times of despair, the letter of First Peter is one of the best places to turn in all of scripture.  This hope-filled book was originally written as a source of encouragement for Christians living during times of persecution.  Several times in this letter, the author points to the suffering of Jesus as an example for how to endure our own suffering.
 
However, the focus of the letter is not just on the suffering of Christ.  The author also emphasizes Christ’s resurrection and the new life that is found in Christ for all who believe.  The message is consistent and clear: there is reason to hope because of the salvific work of Jesus Christ in his death and resurrection.

When we find ourselves caught in times of distress, anxiety, persecution, and despair, we would do well to heed the message of Peter’s first letter.  Christ’s suffering on the cross for our sake and his defeat of that persecution through his resurrection are the reason that we can always cling to hope, because “the God of all grace…will restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.”