The Attitude in Suffering

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. What then should our attitude be in all of this. Let’s take a look at 1 Peter 4v12-13 (NIV) which says “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.” Two things we find in these verses, the first is that do not find it surprising. Some other versions say do not think it strange or be amazed or bewildered as though it is something strange that is happening. Basically, look at it as normal. Christ had encouraged us that this would happen to us as His followers. 1 Peter 2v19-21 also mentions that suffering is not separate from our vocation as believers. Hallelujah.

The second advice we are given here is that we should rejoice so that when Christ’s glory is revealed, you can also rejoice. Basically, there is much more than what you are going through now, much glory, blessings, victory … and you want to be able to share in that too. You watch movies where one or two people decide not to follow their team when things get too hard, and then when the team wins, they are on the sidelines looking in. Do not be on the sidelines. Be encouraged from 2 Corinthians 4v16-18 (TPT) which says “So no wonder we don’t give up. For even though our outer person gradually wears out, our inner being is renewed every single day. We view our slight, short-lived troubles in the light of eternity. We see our difficulties as the substance that produces for us an eternal, weighty glory far beyond all comparison, because we don’t focus our attention on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but the unseen realm is eternal.” Amen.

Prayer

Father, we thank You for Your love and Your grace. We thank You for the example Jesus set for us and how we can follow in His steps. We thank You for Your grace which is sufficient for us through every trial and trouble, and we thank You for the glory that will be revealed. We ask for Your grace to continue to abound toward us, for strength in our inner man and Your joy which is our strength. We pray for encouragement and the right attitude for all circumstances of our lives in Jesus name, amen.