This Too Shall Pass - Suffering 'A Little While"

🌿 Messianic Daily Devotional

This Too Shall Pass: Suffering “a Little While”

“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Messiah Yeshua, after you have suffered a little while, Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”— 1 Peter 5:10

When we are suffering, it can sometimes feel as though it will never end. A prolonged illness, financial hardship, grief, loneliness, family troubles, or some other painful trial can seem to stretch endlessly before us.

And yet, God’s Word speaks of suffering “a little while.”

Of course, God’s definition of a little while and ours may differ considerably! The children of Israel suffered in Egypt for generations before God brought them out with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.

But deliverance did come.

As believers in Yeshua HaMashiach (the Messiah), we are not promised an exemption from suffering. In fact, Yeshua told us plainly:

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”— John 16:33

No Exemption from Suffering

My youngest daughter received an exemption from serving in the Israeli army because of health issues. I remember feeling somewhat relieved. At least, I thought, she would be spared some of the hardships that so many of our precious IDF soldiers endure.

Instead, she flew to Canada and married a wonderful, godly young man. It seemed perhaps she had escaped a difficult path.

But suffering found them in another way.

On their honeymoon in Costa Rica, they became very ill after drinking contaminated water. They eventually came to Israel, hoping to build a life here, but their health problems continued and worsened. Over the following years, they experienced financial loss, housing instability, difficulty finding work, and one hardship after another.

When the war began in Israel, they returned to Canada, where they faced yet another difficult season trying to rebuild their lives and recover from everything they had lost.

There were times when their “little while” did not seem very little at all.

But God Restores

If you looked at them today, however, you might never know everything they have been through.

They have now been married for five years—and tomorrow is their anniversary! The glow of happiness has returned to their faces. They have an adorable little daughter, Esther, and another precious baby on the way. Her husband has a good job, they have rented a lovely townhouse, and through his work they have received excellent health benefits. Their health has also been restored.

God has been so faithful.

I think today they could look back over those painful years and say:

Life is good. God is good.

The suffering was real—but it did not have the final word.

This Too Shall Pass

Perhaps you are in your own “little while” right now.

You may be wondering, How much longer, Lord? When will this end?

I cannot tell you when your circumstances will change. But I can encourage you with this: your suffering is not forever.

There is an eternal glory awaiting us that far outweighs every temporary trial. And even here in this life, God is able to restore what has been broken and bring beauty out of ashes.

Peter does not simply say that the suffering will end. He says that afterward, God Himself will restore us and make us strong, firm and steadfast.

We may come through the fire changed—but not necessarily diminished.

We may emerge stronger, wiser, more steadfast, and more compassionate toward the suffering of others.

Job, in the midst of unimaginable suffering, declared:

“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”— Job 13:15

That is faith forged in the fire.

So while we are walking through suffering, let us keep trusting. Let us keep praying. Let us keep praising—even through our tears.

God is not distant from our pain. He sees. He knows. He cares.

And His Word gives us this simple instruction:

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.”— James 5:13

Whatever you are going through today, bring it to Him.

And remember:

This too shall pass.

After you have suffered “a little while,” the God of all grace will Himself restore you, strengthen you, and establish you.

🙏 Prayer

Abba Father,

Sometimes our suffering seems as though it will never end. When we grow weary and discouraged, help us to remember that You see our pain and that You have not abandoned us.

Give us grace to trust You in our “little while.” Help us to pray instead of despair, to praise You even through our tears, and to believe that You are still working all things together for good.

Thank You that suffering does not have the final word. You are the God of all grace. Restore what has been broken. Strengthen what has become weak. Make us firm and steadfast, and use even our painful experiences to make us more compassionate toward others who suffer.

Like Job, may we be able to say, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”

We place our lives once again into Your loving hands.

B’Shem Yeshua HaMashiach (in the name of Yeshua the Messiah), Amen.

📖 Additional Reading

Job 13:15 — “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 — Our present troubles are temporary compared with the eternal glory God is preparing for us.

Psalm 30:5, 11–12 — “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” God turns mourning into dancing.