The stakes couldn’t have been higher. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill knew that if England failed to stand against Hitler’s bombs, the whole world would fall. So he called upon his fellow citizens to stand firm in duty. He wanted people in future years, no matter what the outcome, to look back at England’s courage and say, “This was their finest hour.”

Have you had bombs explode on your emotional landscape? “Clear out your desk by noon.” “I’m leaving you.” “You have stage-four cancer.”

The most insidious bombs seem to be the ones we’re not expecting. One minute life feels safe, secure. The next minute, we find ourselves desperately aching to turn back the hands of time. We weren’t prepared to have our faith torpedoed in an instant.

Perhaps we could face the “bombs” more bravely if we remembered who and whose we are. We belong to someone far stronger and greater than our circumstances. We belong to a Redeemer who promises to work all things for good (Romans 8:28). Embedded in our troubles, we have the opportunity, as Peter encourages, to connect with our faithful Creator and keep doing good.

So remember that the bombs exploding in your life today — or tomorrow — don’t signify the end. How you respond will be recorded in eternity. Commit your suffering to the Lord. Entrust to him every painful moment. And as you reflect his faithfulness, may it one day be said of you, “This was their finest hour.”

Heavenly Father, thank you for walking us through the pain of this broken world. May we be faithful to you no matter what bombs land in front of us. Help us continue to do good, even in our suffering. Amen.

Go Deeper — If you are going through a painful situation right now, write it out. Then fold the paper and prayerfully invite God to use it for good. Tuck it away where you cannot see it, like in the back of your Bible, to indicate your decision to you concentrate less on the circumstances and more on your Savior.



Tags: The Letters of Peter 1 Peter 4
Photo Credit: Jens Johnsson