There is a part of the Christian life that, as Americans at least, we seem to forget, minimize, avoid, or even outright demonize - Suffering. We sometimes imagine that suffering is so contrary to the purposes of God that when we are going through it we attempt to hide it and deny it. When others are suffering we may half-heartedly tell them a truth like, "All things work together for good to those who love God…" but we don't truly know how to comfort those who suffer. Could it be we are this way because we spend most of our efforts in padding our lives in order to avoid suffering? Perhaps we have bought into retribution theology, and so when the teensiest bit of discomfort does come our way we bail on God since "obviously" He wouldn't let one of His children suffer like this. Maybe we don't bail completely on Him, just practically as we seek to work to fix things ourselves. Some of us may have thought the Christian life meant essentially smooth sailing from the spiritual cradle to the grave. Sure, we know God talks about suffering in His Word, but that's always for others, not for us.
Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter (a man who is VERY acquainted with suffering) tells us the follower of Jesus has a path laid out for them that is vastly different than a walk through a botanical garden; rather it is more akin to the garden of Gethsemane.
The Promise of Suffering
"Dear friends, don't be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you." (1 Peter 4:12 CSB) Peter was always one to speak his mind, and to do so bluntly; here he makes his point. He essentially tells us, "you can bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow" there will be suffering. (Little Annie would have been singing some other song had Alicia Morton chosen to let the apostle Peter write her lyrics.) Suffering - Expect it. Don't be standing around, dumbfounded with your mouth hanging open like a fly trap. Don't be flabbergasted. Don't act as if something unusual is taking place. He says this because he has been through it, remember when he told Jesus that he would NEVER deny Him? Even after Jesus told Peter he would deny Him three times, it still blindsided him. The Holy Spirit inspires Peter to write this because God knows us. We need to be reminded and exhorted to expect suffering. When we realize suffering is promised, when we anticipate suffering, it changes our perception of it, it directly affects our response to it, and it neutralizes the harmful intent the enemy had in delivering it. Suffering may have various forms: weariness, depression, poor health, mistreatment, poverty, etc. Peter doesn't go into what type of suffering to expect, just that we are to not be surprised when it hits us. It's a given. In 1 Peter 2:21 we are told, "For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." (CSB) Jesus tells us "If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you." "A servant is not greater than his master." (John 15:20 CSB) Our Master suffered, we should expect to as well.
The Response to Suffering
"Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed."(1 Peter 4:13 CSB) Not only should we anticipate it, but we are to rejoice. This is not just a rejoicing IN suffering, but even deeper - a rejoicing FOR suffering. This is an action of faith and it is inextricably tied to the first exhortation of expecting suffering. In 1 Peter 4:1, he tells us "Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same understanding…" James tells us to rejoice and lays it out nicely, "Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4 CSB) God is telling us, through these New Testament writers, how He uses suffering - Suffering Sanctifies.
The Fellowship of Suffering
"Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed."(1 Peter 4:13 CSB) It is through suffering that we enjoy fellowship with Jesus in ways we would never know without suffering. Suffering is a gift (back to the rejoicing part again). Paul declared, "My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings…" (Philippians 3:10 CSB) The idea Peter is communicating is the sharing that takes place among people when they have all gone through similar experiences, or even the same traumatic experience. There is a bond that is formed. I have heard my military friends talk about how there is a bond of brotherhood that is formed in battle that is unlike "normal" friendships. Paul and Peter both speak of suffering in this way. God uses suffering to draw us into a tighter union with His Son. Through suffering, God deepens the bond, the friendship we have with our LORD.
The Identification in Suffering
"If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler. But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in having that name." (1 Peter 4:14-16 CSB) Suffering is an ID badge. A murder goes to prison for murder and it's on her record. A sex offender is convicted of being so and he is registered as such - It follows him around. When criminals suffer for crimes committed, that suffering is a badge. Having been found guilty of the accusations, the sentence marks them out as such. For the Christian, suffering should not come as a result of evil actions; rather suffering for being a child of God is an ID badge that we should give God glory for counting us worthy to wear. We should rejoice and praise God that He identifies us with Himself.
The Strength in Suffering
"So then, let those who suffer according to God's will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator while doing what is good." (1 Peter 4:19 CSB) God told Paul that His [God's] power was made perfect through Paul's weakness. It is in times of suffering when God's power flows to us and through us. It was through the suffering of the cross that Jesus completed the work of redemption. The Suffering Servant healed His suffering people. Peter reminds us of two aspects of God. 1. He is faithful. We can and should entrust ourselves to Him, especially in the midst of suffering, because God is faithful. Even though we can't imagine how, He has promised that He is working all things for the good of those who love Him. 2. He is the Creator. Not only has He promised to work in all things, but He can absolutely make good on that promise. The God who spoke all into existence and sustains all of creation is mighty to work in and through that created order to accomplish precisely what He intends.
After Peter went through the suffering of Satan's attempt to grind him like one grids wheat in a grist mill, Jesus restored him and commissioned him to "feed my lambs" and "shepherd my sheep". (John 21:15, 16 CSB) It is having gone through this, and other, suffering that Peter exhorts us to rejoice as we share in the sufferings of Christ.
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