1 Peter 5:10 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.
I recently finished reading the fifth book in a compelling fiction series by Gabrielle Meyer. The books captivated me with their clever, suspenseful plots. The first four books had “happy endings,” but by the time I was halfway through the last one, I began to wonder. I couldn’t imagine any way this book could have a positive conclusion. And by the time I reached the final chapters, I felt somewhat hopeless.
Oh me of little faith! [Spoiler Alert] The struggles the protagonists experienced only served to make the conclusion all the more satisfying, the ending all the more happy.
Although a work of fiction, it felt like a very real slice of life. When I face problems with no answer in sight, my default doesn’t automatically lean toward trusting the Author. Oh me of little faith, indeed.
Scripture assures us we will experience trouble in this life. Peter encourages us not to be surprised at the “fiery trial” of our faith (1 Peter 4:12). The pain and uncertainty we endure serves a higher purpose than we can see when we’re in the middle pages of the book. We may be unaware of how our suffering catapults our faith to new heights, but that doesn’t make it less so.
It is human to desire happy endings. I believe God made us that way. We hope because the God of hope created us. How vital that we don’t get stuck in the temporary setbacks, the unexpected diagnoses, the disrupting detours. God has a plan far more rewarding than anything we can imagine.
So if you’re in a discouraging situation right now, and you can’t envision how it could possibly turn into something good, remember, you’re only part way through the book. Don’t give up hope. God promises that after we have suffered a little, he will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish us.
Keep turning those pages, trusting in the God who orchestrates happy endings.