Bible Devotions for Living

You will suffer in your Christian life so don’t be surprised when it happens.

¹² Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you. ¹³ Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory. (1 Pe 4:12-19. See also Mt 16:33)

The key is to suffer well!

The many types of suffering

Jesus suffered in many ways, and you will too. You will suffer because of sin (1 Pe 3:18) when people in your life lie, commit adultery, gossip, cause trouble, etc. You will suffer unjustly (1 Pe 2:18-19) when people falsely accuse you, punish you for something you didn’t do, or blame you when you are innocent. You will suffer for righteousness (1 Pe 3:14-18) by being mocked for beings a ‘goody two shoes’. You will suffer for being a follower of Jesus (1 Pe 4:12-16) by being mocked, excluded, ridiculed, or even physically harmed because of your faith. You will suffer because of the devil (1 Pe 5:8-9) from temptations, bad thoughts, or even physical problems like Job (Job 1-2).

Handling suffering well and mimic Jesus

When suffering it is easy to get knocked off course as a Christian. You might get angry, depressed, lash out at your oppressors, withdraw from life, stop serving, and have a pity party for yourself. Resist those traps of the flesh and remember to suffer well by mimicking Jesus when you go through suffering:

²¹ For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps. (1 Pe 2:21)

Here are some ways to handle suffering well:

• Remain holy and do not return evil for evil:

²³ when He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He was suffering, (1 Pe 2:23)

Your job is to remain holy and not get down in the mud with our oppressors.

• Trust God

He … entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly. (1 Pe 2:22-23)

¹⁹ So those who suffer according to God’s will should, while doing what is good, entrust themselves to a faithful Creator. (1 Pe 4:19)

• Focus on eternity and not your problem

¹⁸ For Christ also suffered for sins once for all …  ²² Now that He has gone into heaven, He is at God’s right hand with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him. Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, equip yourselves also with the same resolve … to live … no longer for human desires, but for God’s will. (1 Pe 4:1-2)

Your suffering is temporary, focus on eternity.

• Continue to serve others

There is an interlude (1 Pe 4:7-11) in the middle of the discussion on suffering in 1 Peter that speaks about remaining serious about prayer, loving believers, hospitality to believers, using your gifts, speaking in a godly way, and serving in God’s strength. I believe God is showing you that in the middle of your suffering you need to keep walking as a fruitful Christian doing those things instead of curling up in a ball and wallowing. While suffering keep praying, perform acts of love for other believers, be hospitable if you can, use your spiritual gifts to serve, and speak godly.

Summary:

• When suffering, suffer well by mimicking Jesus as He suffered through life:
• Remain holy and do not return evil for evil (1 Pe 2:23)
• Trust God (1 Pe 2:23; 4:19)
• Focus on eternity and your inheritance (1 Pe 4:1-2)
• Continue to serve others (1 Pe 4:7-11)
• Additional points to consider:
• You are blessed when suffering for Christ (1 Pe 4:14)
• Do not be ashamed of Christ or your faith but glorify Him (1 Pe 4:16)
• Honor Christ in your heart by not being afraid or intimidated (1 Pe 3:14-15)
• Be prepared to tell those persecuting you the reason for your faith (the Gospel of Christ) gently and reverently (1 Pe 3:15b-16)

¹⁰ Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little. (1 Pe 5:10)

Think about it

Do you ‘suffer well’ like Jesus?

How do you usually react to suffering (anger, depression, lashing out, withdrawal, whining)?

Which of the different types of suffering mentioned (unjustly, for righteousness, because of sin by others, from the devil) do you find most difficult to endure?

What are some ways to handle suffering (to ‘suffer well’)?

Why do you think it is important to focus on things like prayer, serving, hospitality, loving other believers, and speaking well when you’re suffering (1 Pe 4:7-11)?