I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
A Firm Foundation
We inhabit this beautiful-yet-broken world, so experiencing various levels of suffering is inevitable. Thankfully, for the follower of Jesus, it’s also temporary.
Peter—a disciple, apostle, and close friend of Jesus—wrote this:
“In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.”
1 Peter 5:10 NLT
Right before he wrote these words, Peter reminds God’s people that they’re not the only ones suffering. In fact, there are believers all over the world facing trials and hardships because of their faith in Christ.
“In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus…”
Because He lived the perfect life we couldn’t, died the brutal death we should have, and rose again so that we might be with Him forever, Jesus is able to invite us to share in His eternal glory. A glory that goes on forever and is humanly impossible for us to fully understand.
“So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you…”
For those who are in Christ, heartbreak is temporary, suffering is fleeting, and even death is short-term. Eventually, God is going to wipe away every tear once and for all, doing away with pain and sadness and crying—forever. God is going to make all things new (Revelation 21:4-5).
“…and he will place you on a firm foundation.”
That firm foundation was established before the beginning of time. It’s a good foundation, a true foundation, and a firm foundation. There is no other foundation that’s more worthy of our trust.
So whatever you’re currently walking through—no matter how hard, horrible, or absolutely heartbreaking—you can cling to this future reality. While suffering is unavoidable, you can know that its days are numbered.
Peace That Stays
Everyone wants peace. In the world, in our homes, and in our hearts. In difficult times, we seek comfort. In heartbreaking moments, we want a peace that remains steady despite the circumstances.
The Bible teaches about this kind of peace. Philippians 4:7 describes the peace of God. No amount of self-talk or meditation can manufacture this kind of peace—it only can come from God Himself. Preacher and theologian Charles Spurgeon described this kind of peace as the perfect calm and happiness of God, who is always content.
This peace transcends all understanding. It's the idea that something goes beyond our normal way of thinking. That is a beautiful description of what God’s peace does. It exceeds our understanding and surpasses anything we could expect or imagine. It also guards and protects our hearts and minds.
How do we get this kind of peace? The surrounding verses in Philippians offer guidance. Philippians 4:6 tells us to take every anxious thought and turn it into a ...
