Dear
friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test
you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice
inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be
overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because
of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God
rests on you. 1 Peter
4:12-14
Suffering
and rejoicing are polar opposites. Who
prays for suffering? We pray for things
to rejoice about. We want things to go
well in our lives and be happy. We pray
away pain and division.
Peter, who
knew a thing or two about suffering, welcomed suffering because he knew
conflict caused an individual to face the facts about God, forcing a decision about
whether to believe or not. Happiness
does not do that. Happiness desires
status quo, keep things as they are—don’t rock the boat.
We don’t
have to ask for suffering because it will find you on its own, whether its
medical or relational, national disasters or character assassinations. Live long enough and something bad will
happen. So, how do you react to the
inevitable?
Peter says
welcome it because there is purpose to be found in the suffering. In addition, others are watching you and have
an opportunity to see God work in you through suffering. Purpose even makes suffering more bearable as
it forces us to our knees hoping that God will reveal himself to everyone
involved.