In Suffering Or In Blessing

"We urge you to find joy in your suffering as you do in your season of blessing."

"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear? Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. ” - 1 Peter 4:12-19 -

God uses trials to get our attention, to test us to see where we are on our journey and what areas of our life need construction. Paul instructs us to count it all joy when we are faced with trials because it teaches us patience. How do we glory in tribulations and how do we remain sober, vigilant and still demonstrate Christ-like attributes when we are found suffering? It is by constantly abiding in the Father as John 15:4-5 reminds us to. One of the greatest Christ-like attributes we are to demonstrate and obtain is love. In times of suffering we tend to make it all about ourselves when we should continue to remain cognizant of others around us.

Love is long-suffering and Christ had to go through suffering because He loves us. He died for us because He Himself is love (1 Corinthians 13:4). No one said that this is an easy task, but compromising the Gospel for the sake of our feelings is distorting our witness. Colossians 3 verses 12 and 14 state, "therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience… Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which ties everything together in unity." We should always be clothed with these things and the the fruit of the Spirit whether we are going through a season of suffering or blessing. This fosters unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ as well as the persons on whom our light must shine.

Suffering is inevitable. It is how God prunes us to bear much fruit. 1 Peter 4:19 states, "therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good." We are not exempt from our godly duties when we suffer. It is then that we should show love and compassion because then the world will see Christ in us. Therefore, we urge you to find joy in your suffering as you do in your season of blessing. The joy of the Lord is really your strength.