So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. (1 Peter 4:19) Peter’s words seem strangely out of place for us today. In our age and time, we seem to value to comfort and ease above most anything else. It is for this reason that Peter’s teaching (as inspired by the Spirit of God) strikes us so forcefully.
As Christians, we will suffer. Suffering is not limited merely to the realm of the wicked. The righteous also endure pain and agony as we traverse this life.
We want to think that following Christ will somehow exempt us from suffering. But, the hard truth remains that Believers struggle with physical hurts, material deficiency, relational pain, and emotional injuries. Suffering occurs in everyone’s life at some point.
There will be times that we will even suffer as a result of following God. Peter says that those who “suffer according to God’s will” should continue to follow God and love others. Following Christ may result in particular pains as those in the world reject us, harm us, and smear us.
In those times of heartache, remember that God is with you. (John 14:8) We should also understand that all who follow a righteous path will suffer. (Matthew 5:12) And we ought to consider that Christ suffered for us. (1 Peter 2:21)
We can make it through difficult times. The pain that we endure is only temporary. We await a day when we will be with Jesus. In Heaven, all suffering, heartache, and pain will cease. (Revelation 21:1-7) Even so, come Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20)
mrtonyfrench 