Suffering’s Reward—Two2Grow, Friday, July 31
Suffering’s Reward—Two2Grow, Friday, July 31
“Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.” 1 Peter 4:12 NLT
When I was growing up, I got the impression that a person of faith would never suffer hardship or experience problems in life. I thought that problems and suffering were the result of a lack of faith. So the moment I encountered hardship, I went into a destructive self-searching mode, trying to find out why I had lost favor with God, what I had done wrong, and where the devil had gotten a foothold.
But today’s verse—and many others in Scripture—teaches us that we should not be surprised when we go through not just difficult times but even greater "fiery trials." Facing hard times isn’t something strange or a sign that you have missed God. It is part of living in a fallen world that has turned away from God.
So when you go through the fiery trial, set your focus on Jesus. As Peter continues to write:
“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 4:13)
There is a partnership and close communion with Jesus that we can only reach through suffering. A more intimate walk with Jesus is suffering’s greatest reward. In the dark night of the soul, hold fast to the Lord, and you will receive a deeper revelation of His tender love and mercy and be shaped into His likeness.
I’m not saying that God is the author of our suffering, but that God doesn’t let suffering go to waste. He uses it to bring us closer to Him.
Jesus, whatever I’m facing today, help me to look away from the circumstances and from myself to You so that I can know You better. Amen.
Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD
When I was growing up, I got the impression that a person of faith would never suffer hardship or experience problems in life. I thought that problems and suffering were the result of a lack of faith. So the moment I encountered hardship, I went into a destructive self-searching mode, trying to find out why I had lost favor with God, what I had done wrong, and where the devil had gotten a foothold.
But today’s verse—and many others in Scripture—teaches us that we should not be surprised when we go through not just difficult times but even greater "fiery trials." Facing hard times isn’t something strange or a sign that you have missed God. It is part of living in a fallen world that has turned away from God.
So when you go through the fiery trial, set your focus on Jesus. As Peter continues to write:
“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 4:13)
There is a partnership and close communion with Jesus that we can only reach through suffering. A more intimate walk with Jesus is suffering’s greatest reward. In the dark night of the soul, hold fast to the Lord, and you will receive a deeper revelation of His tender love and mercy and be shaped into His likeness.
I’m not saying that God is the author of our suffering, but that God doesn’t let suffering go to waste. He uses it to bring us closer to Him.
Jesus, whatever I’m facing today, help me to look away from the circumstances and from myself to You so that I can know You better. Amen.
Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD