Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?” Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good. (1 Peter 4:12-19, NRSV)
Rejoice in our suffering?
Really?
Most people I know go out of their way to avoid suffering. We do what ever we can to not get into situations or things that will cause us pain.
We avoid it at all costs…
But as we all know sometimes it is not possible for us to avoid it…
But suffering we can avoid is not what the author of 1 Peter is talking about…
You see this suffering is suffering for our faith when we stand up with the words of the Holy Spirit and proclaim Christ crucified and those listening do not want to hear it, and the bring the pain upon us…
We can not control how people will react, but we must proclaim the love and mercy we received in the grace given to us in the gift of faith, so everyone can hear!
So yes, rejoice in suffering so that the world may know the mercy and love you received as grace through the gift of faith, so that they may come to hear. And by hearing cause suffering, but because they hear, God can work in them to change them to accepting the love He has for all of us!
aSacredRebel 