“After you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you” (1 Peter 5:10)

We know when saints suffer, God can perfect, establish, strengthen and “settle” them in Christ. The Greek word translated “settle” is themelioo, which means “lay a foundation”. Christ is the only foundation on which we can build (1 Corinthians 3:11), and He promised, “whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them … built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock” (Matthew 7:24-25).

There’s no wasted suffering with God. “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Your job, in suffering, is stay submitted to the Lordship of Christ, and, “rejoice always,  pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Your faith can’t be a fantasy if you’re to endure. May you be rooted and grounded in Christ’s love. May your convictions be deep, your love real, your desires earnest. May your whole life be settled and established, so all the blasts of hell, and the storms of life can’t destroy you, as you trust, “the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His’” (2 Timothy 2:18).