In his first Epistle Saint Peter begins to stir things up with regard to what is expected of a believer in his or her very personal life relationships. In 3.10-14 we read: For, ‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.’ Words are like seeds in that whatever is planted brings forth the crop that is planted and nothing else. We must watch what we say!

And the favor of God is toward those who plant vital seeds of life: ‘He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.’ Do know how great seeds bear good fruit when watered, hoed, fertilized, and otherwise nurtured. God provides this care to us.

If the heart of a believer is set to be effectively submitted to the good to which God has called them: Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? If we seek to remove all avenues of harm which may come to us and to our relationships in life, it is imperative that we set our hearts toward God’s will for us and for the best of those with whom we live in faith. All harm is thereby deferred to those who disobey God.

This does not mean that we are necessarily free from suffering, however: But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.’ The enemy of God has his mind set on destroying all that belongs to God—totally futile at best—and there may come a bit of pain because of his efforts. However, being submitted to God brings about rewards for faithfulness.