“Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” 1 Peter 4:19
Peter wrote today’s Scripture section on suffering as a believer from first hand experience, not from the grandstand. Peter was an eye-witness to the agony and persecution of our Lord Jesus. In fact, one of the examples that Jesus left us to follow pertains to suffering that is in accordance with the will of God for our lives.
Because we know that suffering as a Christian is inevitable, that doesn’t mean that we seek to bring it upon ourselves. No, these present sufferings are called by Paul “momentary light afflictions”, which actually benefit us spiritually. Every event in our lives is ‘Father-filtered,’ regardless of the source of the trial or blessing.
Knowing that our times are in the Father’s hand allows us to see beyond the present pain or affliction to God’s eternal purpose. Even what is meant for evil, God works for our good and His glory. Trials are never pleasant to our flesh or stubborn wills. Hence, our need for them, that we might learn never to trust in our own flesh, but in our living Lord.
May God’s Spirit minister to each of our hearts about this misunderstood part of the Christian life — trials and sufferings for Christ’s sake.
