Being Made Perfect

1 Peter 5:10 ”But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

 Suffering is not something we like to think about, as a matter of fact, we run from it if possible. and yet we all face suffering.  The book of 1 Peter gives explicit instructions on how to suffer in the right attitude and the benefits of it.  Attitude is everything.  In the second chapter of 1 Peter he states that Christ was and is our example on how to suffer. We all enjoy benefits or blessings so if we are going to face suffering anyway we might as well reap the benefits.

“…after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

“Make you perfect..,”   the first benefit of suffering correctly is to be repaired, mended, and adjusted.  God uses our suffering to make us what we ought to be in Him.  We grow more mature as we learn to handle difficulty with the right attitude. 

“…Stablish…,” the second benefit.  To stablish means to make stable, place firmly, to strengthen, make firm, and to set fast.  God will use our suffering to anchor us strong in Him.  We will not be blown about by every wind of doctrine, or by unusual circumstances.  Our emotions can’t be allowed to dictate our faith.  Our faith must dictate our response to every situation.

“…Strengthen…,” the third benefit.  “To make strong one’s soul” is the definition.  Our minds as well as our hearts become firm in the truth of God’s Word as we hold on tightly to Him.  As we see His faithfulness in bringing us through the situation we become stronger in our faith and more firm in our commitment.  Our mind  becomes “made up” and firm in the truth of God’s Word.

To finish His work in us as we learn to suffer correctly, God will “settle” us, laying a strong and firm foundation through His Son, Jesus Christ.  You will notice three out of the four definitions deal with strength.  Our correct attitude during suffering will allow God to strengthen us mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Love

Barbara