Suffering As Witnesses To The Gospel

Your Desire for Comfort...

Anyone living in the 21st century is tempted to be drawn to a life of comfort. You may find yourself complaining when the thermostat is not at the exact temperature you want it to be. You may begin to desire instant gratification. This can be true of your food, as you rely on microwaves or fast-food takeout. It can also be true of social media, or the need to constantly have a smartphone accessible at all times. You may not want to be challenged physically with exercise or mentally with difficult learning.

Maybe you aren't allured by any of those things. However, all of us are easily tempted to seek a life with the most comfort. After all, who wants to suffer when you can be comfortable? We often wrongly believe that if we ever suffer, we must have done something wrong or that we deserve to have it better.

Your Source of Comfort & Need for Suffering

I want to begin by saying that true comfort is found in Jesus, which is a life of suffering. Therefore, suffering should be a regular aspect of any believer's life. Look at what Peter teaches about this reality. Peter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes: “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

Ultimately, one of the main reasons why suffering should not be immediately dismissed or avoided is because suffering is a witness to the Gospel. Peter writes this section to slaves. He tells them that even if they suffer for things when they have done no wrong, this is God's grace. He reminds them that suffering is used for their good. Before you disagree and stop reading this article, hear this: Our suffering is gracious because Jesus suffered unjustly. If you suffer for the sake of righteousness and endure, rejoice in it because we share Christ's sufferings. This is the context of that passage when Peter reminds us that this is what believers have been called to.

Why Should You Suffer?

Here is why you, as a believer, should be willing to suffer based on what Peter tells us:

1. 👉Jesus is the suffering servant. He lived a life of suffering and died a death of suffering as an example to us. 
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3. 👉Therefore, the Christian life is ultimately a call to follow the ways of Christ and abandon your old ways of life. You have been called to imitate him and die to yourself.
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5. 👉Therefore, a response to the Gospel (the good news that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and raised on the third day, offering us new life) is to accept a path of suffering. Because Jesus suffers as our example, we suffer.
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7. 👉Therefore, your suffering is a visual reality of both Jesus' life and death.
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9. 👉Therefore, all suffering has a purpose and is used for your good and God's glory.

What is your Suffering?

What is it that you're currently suffering with? Instead of trying to avoid it like the plague, how might you rethink your view of suffering? Ask yourself a few questions:

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2. 2) How can I suffer well so that others can see the hope that's within me?
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4. 3) How can I disciple and encourage others as they suffer through the same things I have suffered or am suffering?
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How the Gospel Speaks to Your Suffering

1. If Jesus suffered, you will suffer (1 Peter 2:21).
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3. If Jesus never sinned and still suffered, you will suffer (22).
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5. When you're criticized or reviled in your suffering, you don't have to reciprocate and hurt them (23a).
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7. When you suffer for righteousness sake, you don't have to threaten them in return (23b).
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9. You can entrust yourself to God, who judges justly (23c).
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11. Suffering leads to eternal life (24).
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13. Suffering can be a visible sign and reminder that you are following the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul (25).

Your Joy and Reward in Suffering

I want you to be filled with joy today- even in your suffering. Your suffering is not a waste. I may not know all the people who read this or what you're experiencing, but God does. God knows and uses these trials and difficulties you're experiencing to test your faith so that you can endure.

It is what makes you complete and whole. Suffering is what every believer is called to because God uses your suffering to paint a picture to the world of what Jesus did in the Gospel. Suffer well, faithful servants and saints. For at the end of your suffering, if you endure, you will receive the crown of life.