In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 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. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 peter 5:5-11

How Christians respond when, their social status has suffered and their situation has become difficult because of their faith. Peter has commanded us to be humbled under God’s mighty hand without railing against God or raging against those causing the difficulty, but rather blessing those who insult and injure (3:9).

Many anxieties result from professing faith in Christ in a society that is hostile to the exclusive claims of the gospel. The loss of status and respect, loss of family standing, loss of friends, perhaps even loss of one’s livelihood and, in extreme cases, of one’s life. Peter instructs his readers to cast these anxieties on God because he cares for us. So, we must entrust ourselves to our faithful Creator and continue to do good (4:19).

Peter implying with the lion imagery that satanic powers are at work in the systems of the world. The roar of a lion would scatter a flock of sheep in panic. When a lion is on the prowl, neither the shepherd nor the sheep sleep, but both are alert and watchful. So, we must be watchful because devil roaring like a lion looking or someone to devour.

We must also resist the devil and all his schemes. Ephesians 6:10-13 instructs us to stand and withstand. Unless we stand, we cannot withstand. James 4:7 gives us the same formulae of succusses:” submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Towards the end peter assures us that God “will himself put things right, he shall strengthen, empower, and secure us.” A world where Christians can expect to suffer simply because of their faith in God is not a world as God created it. In the time and place of eternal glory, there will be no suffering, for God will put things right, eliminating its source.

Our God is a gracious God and there is no other source of mercy in life. This all-gracious God has called Christians into eternal glory in Christ. Despite appearances, God’s Spirit indeed strengthens, empowers, and secures Christians, imparting the courage and confidence to live well through this “little while” of suffering.