for a little while

During the early 1980s, Western Carolina University's football team struggled immensely. The 1980 and 1981 seasons managed to end the season 4-7 and 3-7-1. In 1982, the team barely squeezed out a winning season 6-5, but most people believed that the struggling team would go down the tubes with a losing season in 1983.

1983 started out badly, with losses to Clemson and Wake Forest. But things turned around after that. The team eventually ended with an 11-3-1 record and finished second to Southern Illinois in the Division II National Championship Game. They didn't win the outright championship, but clearly they had a great season.

Quite a turn around. And it didn't happen by accident. But the point I want to make is this: It happened. The worst football team in the Southern Conference played like the best team.

Personally and professionally we all will have losing seasons from time to time. A losing season may tell us that it's time to start over, but it doesn't tell us it's time to quit. If you've suffered some setbacks—and we all have or we all will—it doesn't mean that your best days are forever behind you. There's a big season right around the corner.

Peter said, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials." Trials and troubles run in cycles, but the promises of God are permanent. They're always true.

Remember Peter's words: "for a little while..." Just like the Western Carolina football team back in 1981, with a humiliating losing season, you may be struggling in certain areas now. But those struggles are temporary. Look where the same Western Carolina football team ended up in 1983. That can be you too. You'll experience a turn around, because God's promises are forever.
Obedience pays off. It pleases God, it benefits you, it blesses others. These are the rewards for obedience.

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