Thrive:

• to make progress or grow despite or even
  because of our circumstances
• to grow vigorously
• to gain wealth
• prosper; flourish

Do you want a   free,   free, picture perfect life?

Change the way you   – that is not going to happen!

Submit to the   that you are going to   all your life.

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials….
1 Peter 1:6

And after you have suffered a little while…
1 Peter 5:10

Firm  , founded in the  , flourishes you …  .

So I exhort the elders among you…
1 Peter 5:1

And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
1 Peter 5:4

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7

Submitting   to God requires dropping   worry on Him.

Casting is not laying down; it is more action biased. It is throwing them or dropping them.

God’s desire is to   your burdens.

Warning: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the  .”
1 Peter 5:5

The response is to fling all of your cares, concerns, anxieties on a God who loves you.

be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8

The Enemy is a loud, blusterous distraction.

The word “cares” in verse 7 comes from the Greek work Mermina  (Merimnao Ministry), which means worry or anxiety as when one does not know to do this or that, ‘distraction.’

The enemy seeks to distract you. He is not the source of every care or worry, but he amplifies everything that distracts you.

Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds
of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
1 Peter 5:9

The key to resistance is to be firm in your   – to focus on your promised  .

Know this - You are   alone.

Warning: You are being  !

Devour – completely gobble up, destroy 

The enemy is not just an enemy of God’s; he is your enemy. He does not just hate God; he hates you. The enemy has a violent and insatiable murderous thirst for your destruction.

The response is to be sober-minded, watchful for the enemy and his lies and attacks … but to remain focused on the future.

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:10-11

Focus on the  ; a rescue is coming.

Take heart – life is short.

What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
James 4:14

Relinquish your concerns and control.

casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:-7

Yearn for the future.

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18

T.R.Y.

Friends, you are going to suffer in this lifetime. It is promised. We are not called to look for relief from our suffering in this life, but rather how we can thrive through our suffering. Our rescuer is coming; our future is certain.

Firm faith, founded in the future, flourishes you … forever.