1 Peter 4:12-19

1. Unsurprisingly, suffering is not a popular topic to preach in the modern church. Suffering, trials and challenges are spoken about frequently in the Bible. No one wants to suffer, but pain in this life is unavoidable. We will experience loss, people will hurt us, and we will be faced with trials. This truth is not limited to Christians. All people who have ever lived have faced suffering in some form. The difference as a believer is how we respond to suffering and our focus as we face hard times. We are told to rejoice as we share in the sufferings of Christ. Christ suffered for our good. He gave himself willingly, not only in his death, but in his life. He served selflessly. He walked dusty roads to deliver the message of the kingdom of God. He had no home and no wife. He did not hang out in palaces, but on streets, in fields and with people rejected by mainstream society. If we are to follow the example of Christ, what would our lives look like? Have I been angry with God over my suffering?

   1. “In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” – 2 Timothy 3:12

2. Our suffering in this life is not endless. We have a view of the end. We know that this life is temporary and we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. In the midst of our pain, we must keep our eyes on the future glory that we will see. We know that God’s Spirit rests on us as Christians. This sustaining power gives us the strength, patience and endurance to carry on until we see Jesus. Suffering without a reason and without an end is cruel and terrible. That is not our life. We have hope in Christ that his glory will be revealed and we will have unmatched joy when that happens. Am I suffering as if this will always be true? Can I see God’s light at the end of my suffering?

   1. “For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.” – 2 Corinthians 4:17

3. We do not suffer alone or without God. God does not cause us suffering and then sit back with his arms crossed waiting to see what will happen. His Spirit rests on us in our pain. Jesus gives us an example we can look to in walking through trials. We can entrust ourselves to a faithful Creator. We have our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who will love and support us. Those in the world who suffer do it without the hope of walking through it with God. We know that the creator of the universe is present with us in our pain. How does this effect our attitude and actions when we face pain? How can we push into relationships with God and our church community when we are going through pain instead of pulling away?

   1. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, and the flame will not burn you.” – Isaiah 43:2 

For Further Study:
Read Isaiah 53. The prophecy by Isaiah about the suffering servant shows us how Jesus dealt with pain and suffering.

For Prayer:
Pray for our adoptive and foster families. Pray that God would strengthen the family ties and heal brokenness.