Suffering
Everybody goes through rough times in their lives. Times when the walls seem to be closing around them, nobody is for them, and everything seems to be falling apart. Christians are not immune to this, even you are living the way God calls you to live, eventually you will go through a time of suffering. But, when you are suffering for following God’s will, remember that God has a plan, and that things will work out for good.
Peter talks a lot about suffering in 1 Peter 3:13-17. He says that if we are suffering, we are blessed for it. Don’t be afraid of what is going on around you and what is happening in your life. Make sure that you are following God’s will and focus on Him; don’t focus on your problems. It’s hard not to focus on all our own problems, but God doesn’t want us to drown in our despair. He wants us to seek Him. Also make sure that you are suffering for doing the right thing, rather than suffering for sinning. If you’re suffering for doing the wrong thing, it’s meaningless.
Peter goes on to say that we need to bless those who are causing us to suffer. We’re not to hate them or try to get even, or repay their evils with more evils. What does that accomplish? If we hurt them because they’ve hurt us, are we any better than they are? We’ll just bring in more suffering on ourselves in the end, and like Peter says, it’s better to suffer for doing the right thing, than the wrong thing. Peter also says, in verse 14, that we’re not to be afraid of those who are threatening us. Trust God, and do His will. Remember that through your suffering, you may be able to lead another to Christ because of what you’ve been through. When Paul and Silas were imprisoned, they led their own jailor and his family to Christ. Pray for those who are causing your pain, and try to lead them to God.
In closing, Peter goes on to say, in verse 18, that Jesus suffered for doing God’s will. Not only did He suffer, but the way He suffered was more than any of us will ever have to bear. Because He suffered for us, we have an eternity with God in heaven, rather than an eternity of suffering. We shouldn’t forget this. Jesus went through more than any of us ever will, and yet He stayed focused and finished His task.
It’s hard sometimes to stay with God when things are getting rough. It’s even harder to not hate the people who are making things rough for us. But, with God’s help, if we’re doing God’s will, we can get through these tough times, and come out the better for it.
