How can I rejoice while Suffering?
1 Peter 4:12-19
Introduction
Dr. Adrian Rogers has said that “A faith not worth testing is a faith that is not worth trusting.”
It is a simple fact that no one is immune from pain and suffering in this life. Whether we are rich or poor, educated or unlearned, popular or almost unnoticed, there will be a certain amount of pain that we must deal with as we live out life for Christ while on this earth.
Not all Christians suffer to the same degree as others do, but all experience pain and hardship to some extent. It is also true that both Christians and unbelievers will experience hardship of some sort.
A wise man once observed that life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it. I believe that sentiment is very true. Warren Wiersbe has said that our attitude directly determines our altitude!
We should remember that the entire book of First Peter was written to Christians who were enduring great trials and hardships because of their faith; the whole book deals either directly or indirectly with this single theme. The Apostle has already mentioned suffering at the beginning of his letter:
I Peter 1:6-7 “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in
heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more
precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto
praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”
Up to this point, Peter has had many things to say about responding to suffering, especially the suffering which is brought about through the hostilities and resentments of others around us.
Last week Peter gave a list of ways believers in Christ are to live in this world of pain and suffering. Since we as Christians are presently living near the consummation of human history, he told us to be alert and watch as they pray. He also encouraged us to love each other. This love was also to be extended in the church through acts of service “without complaining”. Peter instructed us to continue in our spiritual growth through the proper exercise and regulation of their spiritual gifts. Obeying all of these instructions would help us keep our trials and pain in a proper, heavenly perspective.
In light of that information, Peter is going to challenge us to keep five important facts in mind as they pertain to rejoicing while suffering. We will answer the question today, “How can I rejoice while suffering?”
Read Scriptures: 1 Peter 4:12-19
I. I can rejoice while suffering because, my suffering doesn’t catch God by surprise.
Vs. 12 “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.”
So often as followers of Christ we wonder “why would God allow me to suffer if I am His child.” Being a genuine follower of Christ in a corrupt and fallen world is difficult.
Those who are lost, and even sometimes in the Church, often are opposed to those who take a firm stand for Christ.
How many of your family members will not invite you to certain family gatherings because you take a stand for Christ against sin. How many times have we been chastised by fellow believers because we take a biblical stand against sin?
I read countless stories of people who have lost jobs because they stood up against sin in the work place and they just could not continue to work in that environment. As followers of Christ when we truly go out into the world and live out our Christianity by our actions and our speech we are avoided, ridiculed, mocked, ignored, neglected, overlooked, cursed, and the list could go on and on.
Quite frankly this verse teaches us “do not be surprised” when these things happen, and listen we are not to be surprised because God is not surprised, He knows what is going on down here, he promised us we would face persecution.
So what do we do? We choose to believe God and take Him at His Word. The promise that he will meet our needs, He is always with us, He has our best interest in mind if we truly follow Him. My suffering doesn’t catch Him by surprise, so I live a live of rejoicing because I believe the scripture “if God is for us, then who can be against us”.
II. I can rejoice while suffering because, in it, the Glory and blessing of Christ is revealed on me and through me.
Vs. 13-14 “But rejoice that 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.”
Too many Christians seem to base their responses to pain and suffering solely upon emotions and feelings. During the midst of intense pain, on one feels like rejoicing! The response Peter calls for is based upon a choice alone and not on personal feelings.
James gives us some insight into this aspect of suffering when he says in James 1:2 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations”. The Greek word translated “count” in this verse means “consider” or “reckon.” It has to do with making a mental evaluation of the trial and not an emotional response! The early church faced fierce persecution but they responded with rejoicing because they had been considered worthy to suffer for the cause of Christ.
They understood that our suffering is graced by God’s glory because He goes with us through our pain. We need to remember that God never sends us anywhere--He goes with us through every event in life. He was with the three Hebrew children as they endured a literal fiery furnace in Daniel chapter 3, He was with Daniel as he was thrown into the lions den, He was with Stephen as he was being stoned to death for preaching the Gospel in Acts chapter 6.
The scripture says “spirit of glory and of God rests upon us.” The glory of God is also where His presence is. Since God is especially near us as we suffer for Him, His glory is there as well. Going through severe pain is hard; going through it all alone is even harder! Knowing God is there with us gives us peace, joy, and the strength we will need to endure whatever may come. We are blessed by the presence of almighty God which is revealed when I suffer in this lifetime, therefore I can “count it all joy.”
III. I can rejoice while suffering as long as I am suffering for Christ sake.
Vs. 15-16 “If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.”
We can suffer for both right and wrong reasons. Since suffering is assured, we should make sure we are experiencing it for the right reasons. It is a sad but simple fact that some types of suffering do not come with the blessing and grace of God. Some kinds of suffering are self-inflicted while other kinds are forced on us by others. Many Christians suffer because they have made wrong choices in life; they may be unhappy or uncomfortable right now because God allows them to have the natural result of their unwise choices.
Others may suffer because they are reaping what has been sown in the past. Still others may experience pain because they are enduring the chastening and correction of God because of unconfessed sins. None of these kinds of suffering qualifies as acceptable suffering, however.
Christians should not suffer justly–they should suffer unjustly. Peter had pointed out this truth previously for us:
I Peter 2:19-20 “For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure
grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God”
Those who suffer because they are sincerely following Christ are called upon to rejoice and not be ashamed. I can rejoice in my suffering if I am suffering for the right reasons.
IV. I can rejoice while suffering because, my suffering is only temporary.
Vs. 17-18 “For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
These verses give us the idea of our suffering only being temporary, due to the fact that we face persecution and suffering now in this life, but the question is asked by Peter, “if it is time for the church to face suffering and persecution now, how bad do you think it will be for those who are causing us to suffer when they face almighty God?”
They can do all they want to hurt us now, but they will have to face God face to face, and it will not be pretty. I can rejoice because my suffering in this life is only temporary, and those who causing me to suffer will have to face Jesus on day.
V. I can rejoice while suffering because, God is faithful to those who are committed to Him.
Vs. 19 “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”
God will never fail. We can fully trust Him. He will do one of two things for us, either deliver us from the suffering in this life, or bring us home to heaven and live with Jesus forever and never again have to face a painful trial or suffering of any kind.
If we commit our eternal souls to Jesus Christ, then no matter what people do to us in this life, Jesus will save us. He will fulfill His plan and purpose in our lives. God is faithful.
Psalm 36:5 “…your faithfulness reaches to the sky.”
Continue to live, continue to do good, no matter what anyone may do or say, because God is faithful.
Conclusion
We should make sure that our faith is placed in Jesus Christ in order to claim the promises Peter has outlined for us today in this wonderful passage. Call upon Him today and He will give you the gift of eternal life (John 3:16). If you are suffering in some way today, I would encourage you to ask the Lord what the reason for it may be. If your pain is caused by sin and disobedience in your life, please confess it to Him now in order to be forgiven (I John 1:9). If you are suffering because of your witness for the Lord Jesus Christ, congratulations! You can rest assured that God is with you in a unique way. Keep standing for Him and use your suffering as a time of rejoicing.
Many years ago in Dublin, Ireland, a group of Christian women met regularly to study the Bible. They were puzzled by the meaning of Malachi 3:3 which states “And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” They decided to visit a silversmith and learn what they could about the refining process. After he explained the process, one lady said “But sir, do you sit and watch while the refining is going on?” He replied, “Oh, yes indeed! I must sit with my eyes fixed on the surface of the silver, for if the time necessary for refining is exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver is sure to be damaged.” Then he added “I only know when the process is complete by seeing my own image on the silver.” This is what the Lord wants to see in you and me as He refines us through the fiery trials of life!
(Thanks sermoncentral contributors)
