Suffering With Hope

There are many ways we suffer. Two of our friends recently lost their eighteen-year old grandson in a car accident. Many are struggling with finances in light or rising inflation. My list of family and friends suffering from chronic pain and illness is growing. Part of my family lives in an area of Texas which has been hit with repeated storms causing damaging floods and power outages. California’s minimum wage increase for fast food restaurants is putting many out of business. I read one estimate that nearly 10,000 were fired before the new law went into effect[1] with more to come as additional restaurants close. I have several friends who have endured abuse. Antisemitism is on the rise worldwide. Suffering arrives in a variety of ways.

We looked at comfort in affliction last week.  Several months ago, I wrote down 1 Peter 4:19 in my notes as it held several ways to suffer with hope.

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.[2]

This section in 1 Peter 4:12-19 is instruction and an encouragement when suffering as a Christian. Peter writes: “If you are insulted for the name of Christ you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (vs 14, emphasis added). We can also suffer as a result of God’s loving discipline (vs 17). Peter clarifies that he is not including suffering which is a result of our own sin: “But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler” (vs 15).

We have the context which we need to keep in mind, but Peter’s words in verse 19 can helps us suffer with hope not only for our faith or in God’s discipline but in suffering due to another’s sin against us or from this fallen world in general. Let’s consider five ways to suffer with hope.

1.        It is God’s will – We have hope in our suffering because God is working. I recently finished a study through James. James began with suffering: “2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.[3] God is purifying us in suffering and through discipline. He is conforming us to the image of Jesus. Peter, like James, said this is reason to rejoice (vs 13).

2.        God is glorified (vs 13, 16) – Man’s chief end, his purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Suffering is an opportunity to glorify God because who He is is magnified in our weakness. “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

3.        We can entrust ourselves to God – Peter wrote earlier of how Jesus entrusted Himself to the Father: “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23, emphasis added). Suffering is an opportunity to grow in our faith, to know God in new and deeper ways. We entrust ourselves to God knowing who He is.

4.        God is a faithful Creator – God is faithful. He will never leave or forsake us. He will keep His promises. He will always do what is best for us. He is our Creator. He knows us perfectly. He is sovereign over our suffering. Remember Job. Satan was not able to afflict Job beyond what God allowed, and what God allowed was for His glory and for Job growing in his faith and personal knowledge of God. God was sovereign over Jesus’ suffering and death. He brought all the details together in that exact  time and place for Jesus to be born, suffer, and die, apart from which we could never be redeemed.

5.        We can do good even in suffering – In talking with several friends severely limited by health issues, it is easy for them to feel useless. They can’t serve at church because they aren’t able to even get out of the house or bed, but Peter exhorts those who are suffering to entrust themselves to their faithful Creator while doing good. Doing good isn’t for only times of ease. It is also for seasons of suffering even extended suffering.

I have a friend who has and is experiencing suffering in a couple of ways, but she has purposed to choose JOY every day. One way she chooses JOY is through doing good – she write notes, calls or texts, she sends gifts, she spends time with people, she loves and serves others.

Another friend who is physically limited serves in all kinds of ways right from her home. She mentors, writes, organizes ministry, and coordinates a group within their ministry.

Jesus at the height of His suffering and shame on the cross did good. He made sure His mother would be cared for (John 19:26-27). He listened to and granted eternal life to the thief hanging next to Him. He asked the Father to forgive those who crucified Him. He remained faithful, entrusting Himself to the Father’s will for our good and the Father’s glory.

We can suffer with hope because we know it is God’s will, His good purpose in our lives for His glory, that we would be conformed more to the image of Jesus, we would grow in our faith and knowledge of who He is, and we would still do good even midst our suffering.

Reflection

1.        Who do you know who has suffered with hope? How did you see evidence of their hope in suffering?

2.        Which of the five reasons for suffering with hope most encouraged you? Why?

3.        Which of the five reasons for suffering with hope is most challenging? Why?

4.        What is a specific way you can glorify God in your suffering? What is a specific way you can do good in your suffering? Don’t underestimate what we might consider insignificant like prayer or sending a card or calling someone.

5.        Which “God is…” truths (His attributes) instills the most hope for you in your suffering (past or present)? Why?

[1] https://www.dailymail.co.uk/yourmoney/consumer/article-13515307/fast-food-chains-closing-layoff-kevin-oleary.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3RUA2g6OGu3STyl7O0WMLr_Zh4PcrqJzV7BlTd0vIXteo_DayXayKfaSw_aem_AU86OWbHhnPfrbHBq8OvI671ylWkkDsqEt_rrVZWHySf0DgZaiHGM6sTSj1_wxrV-cZ66dNdIyrfdMF6QnaXRst3

[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 4:19.

[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jas 1:2–4.