1. Be Humble

1 Peter 5:5–7 AV

⁵ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

⁶ Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

⁷ Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Casting your care upon HIM

When we refuse to give our stresses and struggles to God

We reveal our lack of TRUST in His

• Power
• Strength
• Ability

We are revealing our lack of HUMILITY

2. Be Vigilant

1 Peter 5:8–9 AV

⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

⁹ Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Satan is a dangerous enemy

A formidable enemy

• He is a destroyer
• He is an accuser
• He is wiley

We should not

• Joke about him
• Ignore him
• Underestimate him

We need to have our minds under control

This includes not blaming everything on the devil. Some people see him behind every bush and blame him for their:

• headaches
• flat ties
• and high rent

Resist him with the word of God

• The better we know the Bible
• the sharper our spiritual senses will be to detect his lies

3. Be Hopeful

1 Peter 5:10–11 AV

¹⁰ But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

¹¹ To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

No matter how difficult the fiery trial may become, a Christian always has hope.

• We know that we have God’s grace
• We know we are going to Glory
• We Know that our suffering is temporary
• We know our trials are building our Character