Face To Face With Suffering
When doing a study of 1 Peter at the beginning of this year, the verse saying don’t be surprised when you face trials of many kinds really stood out to me.
“Dear Friends, do not be surprised at the fiery trial you are suffering, as though something strange was happening to you.”-1 Peter 4:12 NIV
And the words of Jesus reminded me yet again of facing trials,
“In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world”-John 16:33b NIV.
A job loss, a life-threatening sickness, a crumbling marriage, a disabled child, an automobile accident, the sudden death of a loved one, a horrible diagnosis are the many troubles we face in this world.
Add Covid to the scene and companies shutting down. There are families working and studying in small spaces, children who have missed out on a whole year of school education because they couldn’t afford a device to attend online classes. Families have been torn apart because of travel restrictions and the list goes on - children have lost parents to the dreaded virus and parents have lost children.
What do you do when there is a tear-stained face, hair uncombed, a heart full of fear and anxious thoughts racing up and down, a time when you can’t eat, sleep or face anyone? How does the Bible tell us to face, endure and overcome suffering?
Consider it pure joy
“Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds.”-James 1:2 NIV
Why should we consider it joy? The next verse, James 1:3, sums it up like this:
Trials test our faith
Trials develop perseverance
We become mature and complete.
Look back at your life and the many trials you have faced. How have those trials changed you? Note down the points in your journal.
Learn from Jesus
See what is said of Jesus here:
“When they hurled insults at him, he did not retaliate, when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to God who judges justly.”-I Peter 2:23
This particular verse has helped me a lot. My takeaway from the verse is when you are insulted and accused:
Do not retaliate.
Do not make threats
Entrust yourself to God who is a just judge.
Once, at work, I faced a hard accusation. I felt alone, very disheartened, and weak. This verse reminded me of what I had to do. I left it to God. Sometimes, the situation changed and everything was set right without me ever saying anything to anyone.
Where have you been insulted and accused? How can you entrust the situation to God? Write down a prayer asking God to take over the situation and pray it aloud.
Take action
“Those who suffer according to God’s will should commit yourselves to their faithful creator and continue to do good.”-1 Peter 4:19 NIV
Our action is spelled out in this verse.
Commit yourself to God
Continue to do good.
Peter tells us to be busy doing good as we wait for God to work. Paul says in Galatians 6:9:
“Do not be weary in doing good for we will reap a reward at the correct time.”
David in Psalm 37:3 says:
“Trust God and do good.”
Gladys Staines lived out this verse. Graham Staines and his family were working in Orissa, India as part of an evangelical missionary organization caring for and treating leprosy patients. Graham and his two sons were burnt alive by an activist group that thought they were forcing people into Christianity. In spite of the fact that the family was falsely accused and violently treated, Gladys Staines, Graham’s wife continued to serve the people who had done her and her family so much harm. She trusted God and continued to do good, entrusting the situation to God.
OVERCOME SUFFERING WITH HOPE
Paul talks a lot about suffering in the epistle of 1 Peter but his final words are magic!
“… of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.” -1 Peter 5:10
So if you are suffering right now, write out this verse, learn it by heart, pray it, and commit it to heart. More than anything I am going to believe it. My God will restore me. He will make me strong, firm, and steadfast.
So, the next time you find yourself in the bathroom, staring at a tear-stained face with disheveled hair tell yourself these things:
I will face this suffering with joy
I will endure it by learning from Jesus and by trusting God as I do good.
I will overcome it because God will restore me.