1 Peter 5:8-10 tells us, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
In other words, God will renew us, strengthen us, and make us strong and persevering by means of the suffering. This is all in preparation for eternity. God is building capabilities and character in us that we will reap the benefits from forever. Specifically, suffering is meant to increase our endurance, character and hope. This relatively short period of suffering gives us eternal blessings.
In order for us to reap these benefits we need to stand firm and resist in faith, faith that God will sustain us and give us these blessings. We can also take heart in the knowledge of how the Lord is sustaining our brothers and sisters around the world by His grace in their sufferings. We can do this only if we are alert and serious. We must pay attention to the intentions of the enemy, resisting him at every turn.
