Category: Christianity

Finding Encouragement in Suffering: 1 Peter

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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. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ~ 1 Peter 4:12-14

All you have to do is watch the news or scroll through social media to see the amount of suffering in the lives of our friends and family as well as the world. Suffering is something all of us experience in our lives and it usually leads to the question, “Why is this happening?”. As Christians, what do we do about our sufferings, and how do we find encouragement within them? Lets take a look at 1 Peter.

The author of 1 Peter is widely believed to have been Peter himself. It is believed to have been written around AD 65, around the time emperor Nero began his persecutions of Christians.1 One of the focuses of Peter’s letter is on suffering and its many forms, such as: for being a Christian, being married to a non-believer, working for an unjust or discriminatory master (boss), anti-Christian movements towards the Christian community, and sicknesses, financial hardships, spiritual warfare…the list goes on and on.2 As you read and study 1 Peter, you will find what we should focus on in our times of suffering and the encouragement that lies within it.

Today, is really no different than it was in AD 65. We are facing the same trials and hardships of those from ancient times. Those at the top of my personal list include spiritual warfare, financial hardships, and navigating differences in belief systems and worldviews. Most of these have just been in the last six months and some are still continuing today. I have questioned why certain trials occur, I have sought God through prayer and petition, and I have also turned from God and given up on things changing (this is my normal cycle when going through difficulties).

In John MacArthur’s commentary on 1 Peter, he gives an outline for what a Christian should do and remember during their suffering:

  • Suffering Christians should remember their great salvation
  • Suffering Christians should remember their example before men
  • Suffering Christians should remember their Lord will return3

We can find hope in 1 Peter 1:6-9:

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

We can find encouragement in 1 Peter 3:8-9, 13-18a:

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing...Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear their threats, do not be frightened.." But in your hearts Revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.

Finally, I referenced a Scripture at the beginning of this post. It is here that we find encouragement, but also the action we should continue to do. We see this action in 1 Peter 4:19:

So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good (emphasis mine).

So, how do we find encouragement in our sufferings? We continue doing good, commit ourselves to the Lord, and find our hope and encouragement in our salvation. I know this can be a difficult task when face to face with the difficulties of life. I know it sometimes feels easier to give up. Just remember that Jesus also suffered greatly, for you and me, by dying for our sins and granting us the gift of salvation so that we may spend eternity with our Creator, and that is the biggest encouragement of all.

Living by grace,

Misty

Resources: 1 Rydelnik, Michael, and Michal G. Vanlaningham, eds. The Moody Bible Commentary. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2014. Pg 1957. 2 Samra, Jim. James, 1 and 2 Peter, and Jude (Teach the Text Commentary Series). Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2016. Pgs 102-103. 3 MacArthur, John. 1 Peter MacArthur New Testament Commentary. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2004. Pgs 16-17.

A New Journey

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I am on a new journey in my life. I am now a student…again. It has been twenty-three years since I have been in school, so I have had to re-learn how to study. It has been a challenge, but a rewarding one.

Returning to school has been on my mind for quite some time, years actually. It was probably around 2015 when I started to feel the nudge. What I did not expect was to feel the nudge from the Holy Spirit. I knew it was Him because it was insistent and was stronger when I was in the Word. Honestly, it was kind of annoying because I thought it was crazy and unattainable. I was also afraid to return. I did not want to fail.

I ignored the urge to return to school for years, but I had started to develop a desire to go and had a deep sense of knowing why He wanted me to return. I had went to a few women’s conferences and was feeling convicted that I was meant for more. I developed a sincere desire for women’s ministry. I had been in a study group with some girlfriends and felt the pull to write in a different way. It was in that moment that I had the revelation that I needed to write devotionals for women. I wanted to help women know that they are not alone in their struggles, and despite their past, they are unconditionally loved and treasured by God.

So, seven years later, I finally gave in to the Holy Spirit, who is relentless by the way, and enrolled in school. I was stressed about the process, but I was not fearful any longer. I knew I was doing the right thing, and I knew exactly what I needed to major in. I signed up for an Associates degree in Biblical Studies. I yearned for a deeper and richer understanding of the Word of God. I needed to know more, I was thirsty for more, and I was excited to learn more.

I am asked what I want to do once I finish school. The answer is, I do not know. Well, that is not necessarily true. I know what I want to do, and that is write. I want to use what I have learned to become an author of women’s devotionals and help minister to women. However, ultimately it is up to God. I finally listened to him and look where I am now. He has helped and guided me throughout this whole journey and I know he will continue to do so. It would be foolish of me to stop listening to Him or doubting His incredible work in me now.

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; do not try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he is the one who will keep you on track.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (Msg)

Living by grace,

Misty

A Fork in the Road

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I had a great day. I was happy, content, and loved my job. Unfortunately, my day did not end so well.

The previous day I had made a mistake, one that I immediately regretted. I had a brief moment of lack in judgement. I had the best intentions of trying to correct it, but in hindsight, I just made it worse. The consequence of my mistake was the loss of my job.

This was new territory for me. In all my years of working, I had never been let go. I was devastated. I sincerely loved my job and missed it. I went into a deep mental and emotional hole for a few days. The false rumors about why I was fired did not help, and I chose to remain silent and just let them talk. My own self talk had become very negative.

I had come to a fork in the road. I had choices to make. I could believe God’s truth about who I was and who He is, or I could believe the lies Satan was saying about me. I could choose to find comfort in the Lord or find it in worldly things. The biggest thing I knew I needed to do was trust in Him, and allow Him to turn this set back into something good.

How did I do that? Well, it wasn’t easy. I made the conscious choice to seek God. I dove into scripture. I chose study after study and read His word each morning. I would highlight scripture to refer back to when the lies would creep back in to my mind. I prayed. I prayed every time my anxiety peaked and the devil tried to steal my joy as I was choosing the path of Jesus in that fork in the road. I leaned on Christian friends who encouraged me and prayed for me.

I was able to find peace and help by spending time with the Lord. I learned an even bigger lesson in this part of my story. See, my plan was to work at this job for years, at least until my youngest graduated high school. I had it all planned out. How silly of me thinking I have all the control. It is God who has the plan for my life, and He decides what happens. He decided my place was not at that job. So now I am back as a housewife, and waiting to see where He leads me next. Maybe this is where I am supposed to be. My children are busier than ever before and it is nice to be able to focus on that and manage the household. Maybe God has something even better in store for me. I don’t know, but I will continue to trust in Him.

I leave you with this bit of advice. When trouble comes and you are at that fork in the road, choose the road that leads to Jesus. There you will find your peace and comfort to weather the storm.

Living by grace

Misty