Suffering is never enjoyable. Whether pain is physical, mental, or emotional, suffering can be one of life’s greatest trials. And yet, everyone suffers. To navigate and endure such hardship, we need the proper perspective. The Apostle Peter once wrote an epistle to encourage and guide suffering Christians. One of his closing exhortations reads: “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”[1]
Sin brought pain into this world, but that’s not what God wanted for His creation. Thus, He offers restoration. For the faithful, one day suffering will end, and God will restore us. That word can mean something like “prepare” or “mend.” Suffering can be endured when we trust that one day, God will mend us and restore us to what we were intended to be—beings fit and able to abide with Him.
[1] 1 Peter 5:10