The Attitude in Suffering (2)

Dearly beloved, I trust this finds you well and bubbling in the Lord. We have been looking at how followers of Christ, like Christ did, will have to suffer for doing good or for righteousness sake. Today, we continue to consider what our attitude should be during suffering. We found out from 1 Peter 4v12-13 that first, we shouldn’t be surprised or bewildered as though some strange thing was happening, and secondly, we should rejoice that we are able to participate in the sufferings of Christ. 1 Peter 4v14 –16 (NIV) says “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” 

 

The third attitude we should have is to know that if we are suffering for the name of Christ, we are indeed blessed. The Amplified of 1 Peter 4v14 (AMPC) says “If you are censured and suffer abuse [because you bear] the name of Christ, blessed [are you – happy, fortunate, to be envied, with life-joy,  and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of your outward condition], because the Spirit of glory, the Spirit of God, is resting upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. [Isa. 11.2.]”. The Lord Jesus also encouraged us by saying “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5v10-12 (KJV)). Child of God, there is indeed cause to rejoice and we should rejoice and consider ourselves blessed in the face of suffering. Amen.

 

Prayer

Father, we thank You for Your Word this day, and the encouragement to consider ourselves blessed in the face of suffering for Christ’s sake. We commit ourselves to You and pray You help us keep the right attitude and perspective, knowing that we are indeed blessed, and favoured and to be envied. Blessed be Your name forevermore, in Jesus name, amen.