Remember when you were younger, a little kid just hoping for the day you’d become a big kid? A preteen to become a teen, a teen to become an adult? You just knew you could prove to the older folks that you could manage big responsibilities with ease. Most of all, you’d finally be able to step out of the restraints of your youth! Yet, at every progressive step, the roadblocks to your desires seemed to speak loudest. But even as we’ve grown up, no matter what the suffering, it seems like we’ve never quite stepped out of the cycle of wondering, “Are we there yet?” In fact, our tendency is to get distracted and intimidated by the attacks of the enemy on our lives. So much so that we can become deaf to God’s loving response to that very question, “In a little while.” The encouragement here is that we can be fortified in the truth that our time of despair has an end. In the meantime, we can resist the sly moves of the devil who roars loud, but has little to back it up. Be on alert that while he prowls, he’s already been defeated. Truthfully, we are moving forward quickly in this vapor of time we have here on earth. Let’s make the most of it by setting our sights constantly on the hope of Jesus’ ultimate rescue and restoration.

‍“If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.” —Habakkuk 2:3

1. Be Alert + Resist

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

—1 Peter 5:8

Be on guard, the devil is scheming. As he hunts, he will use addiction, immorality,  abuse, and other sins against us. We must not fall prey by entertaining these traps. If we don’t set boundaries, he will push us beyond our limits.

2. Remember

“Resist him [the devil], standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” —1 Peter 5:9

Lions single out their prey from the rest of the pack. The more alone you are the more vulnerable you become. Seek out a community of believers to help you endure suffering.

Now, what do we do with “a little while”? We keep breathing, keep pushing, keep believing. Yes, our troubles can come in waves like the labor pains of pregnancy, but we will get through them and we will have our bountiful reward. The reward of God’s hand wiping away every tear. So wait patiently for it. Our God, the Lion of Judah, is coming. He holds eternity in his hands. If we don’t fall for the lies of the adversary, we will not be consumed. With the gift of the Holy Spirit, we’ve been given the tools to endure. Church, remember we do not walk through suffering alone, let’s also remember our suffering will not last forever, but just a little while.