Be ready to suffer.
1 Peter 4:1
How do the saints prepare for battle? They ready themselves for suffering. They apply their mind to the mind of Christ—who humbled Himself unto death.
We live in a place where suffering is regarded as wrong, evil, unnecessary. And yet God says, “Don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world.” (1 Peter 4:12-13)
The suffering of Christ was not for nothing. The crucifixion wasn’t to prove Jesus ought to be our earthly hero. The crushing of Christ was to destroy our want for things other than God. Christ’s sacrifice of Himself on the cross was to rescue us from the horrible death that waits for those who deny Christ’s Lordship.
I’m the first to run and hide from pain and suffering. My whole life’s mission has been dodging the uncomfortableness of conflict, the sacrifice of a changed mind, the pain of living without. Many moons ago we talked about moving our lives to Malawi and becoming missionaries. In my mind it was more fantasy than reality. (My husband would’ve packed his bags the same day.) The thought of leaving all my favorites: supermarkets, restaurants, family, friends, high-speed internet, paved roads, and the ease of Target in every town . . . was unsettling for me. Who would I be without all these things? I imagined myself the orneriest wife that ever lived.
But here’s the deal . . . God the Father is raising me to become more and more like His Son. Who is His Son? Not only a man born of woman, but the Son of God alive in the Spirit of holiness. Christ gladly left the throne of honor to suffer and die for sinners—because the Father loves His creation, and works for the glory of heaven.
There are those who will think you foolish for leaving your old loves in the dust, for sacrificing temporal habits to know intimately the heart of Christ. Yet, what did Jesus say, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”1
I have overcome the world! What does Jesus mean when He says that? Well, when He said those words He was readying His disciples for His crucifixion. In the next hours he would suffer unspeakable torture until it killed Him, and they would face tribulation like they’ve never understood it. Jesus was promising them tribulation, but offering them peace.2
These are the words of a man about to be handed over to authorities and murdered—I have overcome the world! Jesus was claiming victory for His disciples. He wasn’t delivering a losing team’s halftime pep talk—Pick up your heads boys and get in the game. No. Jesus was declaring His victory, theirs. What I’m about to do . . . it’s for you. Claim it. Take hold of My peace, My saving grace, and overcome this mortal flesh.
“So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for He will never fail you.”3
Let’s pray: Lord, strengthen and prepare our hearts. Transform the way we think. Help us be glad in our suffering—for You are doing good work in us. Grant us a spirit that holds fast the peace You offer this very hour. Amen.
My Church 