In Matthew 16:23 Jesus rebuked Peter. He had just begun to explain to His disciples that He must suffer many things, be killed, and then raised the third day. In verse 22 Peter said, “…Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”

Verse 23 says that He said to Peter, “…Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but of the things of men.” The Greek word for offense denoted a snare or stumbling block.

We just celebrated the resurrection of Jesus on Sunday. As we face our impossibilities, we can fill our minds with hope from God’s word. Jesus was raised from the dead. No grave could hold Him. Neither will any trial keep us from walking in the fullness of His purposes for our lives. Our trials are His temporary tools to conform us to His will and ways.