Life-Giving Words of Hope & Encouragement

There’s something about Peter that speaks to all of us. He was bold, passionate, outspoken, and deeply loyal—but also impulsive, fearful, and flawed. We see him standing tall in faith one moment and stumbling in weakness the next. That’s why so many of us resonate with his story. When we say, “I’m going to get through it; I’m just tired of going through it,” we echo the exhaustion Peter must’ve felt. But God, in His beautiful, redemptive grace, shows us through Peter that no pain is wasted, no failure is final, and no fire burns without purpose.

There are two powerful fireside moments in Peter’s life I want us to look at—one at the beginning of his calling, and the other at his restoration. Both involved fish. Both involved fire. Both involved Jesus. And both reveal something deep about how God walks with us through our struggles.

The Call by the Fire – A New Beginning (Luke 5:1–11)

Peter’s journey began with a boat full of empty nets. He had fished all night and caught nothing. Isn’t that how life feels sometimes? You work hard, pour your heart out, and still come up empty. But into Peter’s frustration stepped Jesus.

Jesus borrowed Peter’s boat to teach the crowds, then told him to cast the nets again. Though tired and unsure, Peter obeyed. This time, the catch was so massive that the nets began to break. Overwhelmed, Peter fell to his knees and said, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” (Luke 5:8). But Jesus didn’t rebuke him. He called him: “From now on, you will catch men.” (Luke 5:10)

That fire of purpose was lit that day. Peter was seen, called, and chosen—not because of his perfection, but in the midst of his exhaustion and honesty. Jesus called him right there in his weariness and failure. And He does the same with us.

The Fall and the Fire of Failure (John 18:15–18, 25–27)

Fast forward to a darker moment. Peter, once so bold, denies Jesus three times by another fire, this time in the courtyard during Jesus’ trial. Fear had overtaken him. The rooster crowed, and Peter wept bitterly.

That fire was different. It burned with guilt, regret, and shame. Haven’t we all stood there? We thought we were stronger. We promised we’d do better. But then life squeezed us, and we broke under pressure. We said things we shouldn’t. We acted in ways we regret. That courtyard fire still flickers in many hearts today.

But God wastes nothing. Not even that failure.

The Restoration by the Fire (John 21:1–17)

After Jesus’ resurrection, Peter goes back to what he knows—fishing. It’s what we often do when we’re unsure of our future. But even in that place of retreat, Jesus meets him again.

Early in the morning, Peter sees a man on the shore telling them to cast the net again. Sound familiar? The nets fill with fish, and Peter knows—it’s the Lord! He jumps into the water and runs to Jesus.

And what does he find? Another fire. Another meal of fish. But this time, it’s not about failure or fear. It’s about restoration.

Jesus doesn’t lecture Peter. He invites him to breakfast. Then three times—the same number as Peter’s denials—Jesus asks, “Do you love Me?” And three times, Peter says yes. With each answer, Jesus reinstates him: “Feed My lambs… Tend My sheep… Feed My sheep.”

Jesus didn’t just restore Peter. He recommissioned him. The failure didn’t disqualify Peter; it prepared him. His journey through doubt, denial, and despair made him more compassionate, more grounded, and more dependent on grace.

God Wastes Nothing

Like Peter, we go through cycles of calling, falling, and rising again. It’s tempting to give up when we’re tired, when the nights are long, or when the shame is heavy. But God meets us in every place—the boat, the courtyard, and the shore.

He uses the fire to call us. He uses the fire to refine us. He uses the fire to restore us.

And through it all, He never wastes a moment.

So if you’re tired of going through it—keep going. You’re not alone. The same Jesus who called Peter is calling you. The same Jesus who forgave Peter wants to restore you. Your journey isn’t over. In fact, the fire might just be the beginning of something new.

Let this be your encouragement: God doesn’t cancel you because of your mistakes. He calls you through them. He doesn’t discard you when you’re tired—He prepares breakfast and invites you to the table.

You will get through this. And when you do, you’ll come out stronger, wiser, and more compassionate—just like Peter. I hope this speaks to you, and I pray you have a blessed day!