What Now?

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."

The book of 1 Peter is written by Jesus' disciple Peter in order to offer encouragement during a period of suffering and discouragement among the Church. During this time God's people had been driven out of their home in Jerusalem following the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Each and every one of us are in a season right now. Whether it be good or bad, neither will last forever therefore we have to prepare ourselves for whatever is next. I particularly want to speak in terms of the bad season, the season of drought, the season of lack, the season of confusion, and etc. The season where everything that could go wrong has gone wrong. You may have lost your spouse, your house, your job, a loved one, your sanity, and nearly lost your faith and hope. Your question to God is "What now?" You've hit a low that is so low that all you can do is look up. Being able to look up in your low shows that your faith is still there and you haven't lost hope. You know, as a follower of Christ, that your help comes when you look up (Psalm 121:1). Looking up to the hills you should also be reminded that your Father owns cattle on thousand hills which means you shall lack no more. The trials that you've experienced during this season has determined how genuine your faith is. How so? Because you never lost it! You worshiped and praised Him in the midst of your suffering and troubles...when there was no advantage showing yourself approved.

So what now? NOW after you have suffered a while, according to the scripture above God himself will restore you. One thing we have learned about God on our spiritual journey is that He giveth and He taketh away. The story of Job is definitely one to reference in that aspect. When God restores you He enlarges your territory. He'll give you what you had before and more. Also, according to the scripture above God will confirm, strengthen, and establish you. Confirmation is such an important aspect of being able to move forward in Christ especially after coming up from an extreme low. Knowing what God wants you to do gives you the strength you need to build upon the foundation that He has laid to reestablish yourself after the storm. We know that we can do nothing in our own strength, but with God's strength we can do everything. After all, how do you think you made it through your struggles? It surely wasn't by anything you did, it was God's grace that kept you and that will keep keeping you. Rest assured knowing that God is always with you. There is nothing wrong with asking God, "What Now?" Let Him know that you know that He is still and always will be in control of your life.

So start this new week with asking God "What Now?" and spend this week listening and looking for confirmation of your next move. By the grace of God walk into your new season where God has strengthened and established you.

#MotivationalMonday #FearlessFAITH