"Beloved! Do not be surprised by the fiery ordeal that is coming upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. On the contrary, rejoice inasmuch as you partake in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed." (First Epistle of Apostle Peter, ch. 4, v. 12-13*; the bold type is ours)
From a young age, we learn to protect ourselves from injuries. We tell little ones not to touch hot objects. We teach them to ride a bike with training wheels and knee pads, we apply sunscreen to their skin to prevent sunburn and suffering, we put away sharp and dangerous things at home to prevent them from getting hurt. In short, we do everything possible to prevent pain and suffering for the people we love.
We are created in the image and likeness of God. Thus, our love and care reflect, albeit imperfectly, God's paternal love. We assume by default that God desires the same things we want for our children. However, perhaps it should be the exact opposite. We should desire for ourselves and our children what God desires for us. "But surely God doesn't want me to suffer!", "God is love; He wants me to be happy!", many people say.
Our well-being is God's primary motivation. Our sense of happiness, however, is not.
"Therefore, let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in good deeds, as unto a faithful Creator." (First Epistle of Apostle Peter, ch. 4, v. 19*; the bold type is ours)
Apostle Peter encourages the believers facing the pain of rejection, persecution, and accusations from pagans and generally from all others who do not understand and accept their way of life. He does not tell them anything they do not already know – everything in their lives is permitted by God’s will. But why does he remind them of this?
They need to know that their pain, trials, and sufferings have meaning and do not happen uncontrollably. We need the same reminder today.
Yes, God can allow suffering in our lives by His will. The truth is, He allowed it for His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, too. The temporary pain should not be our center and main issue. Pain exists in the world since sin does. We cannot and will not avoid it as long as we are in our human bodies. The pain itself is there, and escaping it is impossible. What we need is a reason and meaning to disempower and endure it victoriously. Sometimes, we are too small to understand why we must go through certain trials.At the moment, it may seem cruel, illogical, unfounded, even beyond God's control.
The pain in the life of God's child and in the life of a person without God is not the same. For one, it leads to a good result and participation in God's glory; for the other, it leads to brokenness and death because God is faithful to His covenant with everyone who comes to Him in faith
"Now I rejoice not that you were made sorrowful, but that your sorrow led to repentance; for the sorrow you experienced came by the will of God, so that you suffered no loss from us. The sorrow that comes from God leads to true repentance, leading to salvation. But the sorrow that comes from the world leads to death." (Second Epistle to the Corinthians, ch. 7, v. 9-10*; the bold type is ours)
Encouragement for the week: Next time you're hurting and you ask yourself why you have to go through this, remind yourself that these are "birth pangs," those that will lead to a good fruit. Do not try to avoid them, so you won't evade the good result as well. The suffering of the believer is not meaningless or coincidental. It perfects us, makes us participants in the inheritance along with Christ. For "if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." (Epistle to the Romans, ch. 8, v. 17*)
*Bible quotes are according to the text of the Bible, New Translation from the Original Languages © Bulgarian Bible Society 2013.
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