Not Surprised By Suffering

I remember as a young man knowing that I was giving up so much by choosing Christ. I was giving up my reputation and many friendships (and I'm a big people-pleaser who cares a lot about what people think). I was giving up a romantic relationship I had invested so many years in. I was giving up my selfish ambition that was all about being the best at school to the point where grades were my idol. I was giving up the party scene and all of its perceived perks. There was a lot of suffering that came along with this decision, but I knew the world was the way of destruction.

After being a Christian for almost 20 years, there is still a suffering we must endure, but it can look different depending on our season in life. There is suffering in being different from the world. We can be viewed as narrow-minded for our stances. We don't let our kids have the same liberties and when they can struggle with that. We have different priorities with our finances, denying worldly riches to focus on bigger kingdom matters rather than trying to keep up with the Jones (funny that our neighbors are the Jones, an amazingly godly family)
Our life styles as disciples can make people feel uncomfortable. So they may slander us or make us look like enemies to justify their lifestyles.

Peter tells the church not to be surprised by the suffering that we are going through as if it were strange. Peter spent the other chapter explaining how Jesus suffered at the hands of unbelievers in order to complete our salvation. Now we must be ready to suffer daily. There is no shame in suffering but we should see it at a privilege to be associated with our Savior.

I wonder at times if it is still a privilege to suffer like him or do we feel sorry for ourselves or want to be as similar to the world as possible with a "hint" of godliness. Or even want our kids to resemble the world so they don't have to relate to Christ. No it is glorious to suffer and it will be rewarded.

Peter reminds us to not envy the world because they will be judged. "For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News?" 1 Peter 4:17

Instead we should be anxious to do the will of God, which is being earnest in prayer and keeping our love for one another fervent. That means to keep our love for one another burning, like adding logs and fuel to a fire. How can I be consistent in that? This helps to cover a multitude of sins.

So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.1 Peter 4:19
It's hard not to be angry, want to retaliate, not to feel bad for yourself, not to receive the world to lessen the suffering, but ultimately we trust God, for he will never fail us.