The Blessing of Suffering

November 28, 2012

By Michael Youssef, Ph.D. In 1 Peter 1:6-9, we’re introduced to another blessing—the blessing of suffering for the sake of Christ. There is a lot of confusion about this question of suffering for Christ. There are different types of sufferings in the world. There’s a suffering that is a consequence of our sin. There are sufferings that are the result of Satan’s attack. There are sufferings that are the result of other people’s stupidity. And there’s suffering just because we live in this fallen, sinful world. None of these are what Peter is talking about here. Peter is speaking about suffering as a direct result of your obedience and commitment to following Jesus as Lord in your life. If you lose your job or you’re passed by in a promotion or if you lose a business deal simply because you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then you are suffering for Christ, and Christ will reward you for that. But if you lose your job simply because you are lazy or incompetent, that’s not because of your faith. That’s not suffering for Jesus. If people call you names and they drag your reputation in the mud because you are a follower of Jesus Christ, that is suffering for Jesus Christ and He will bless you through it. When you are allowed to go through suffering that is specifically directed at you because of your unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ, God will use that suffering to bless your life in ways you can never understand otherwise. God will use that suffering to refine your life like precious metal. If and when the time of suffering comes, we will be able to count it a blessing to suffer for Christ. Peter said these times of sufferings are “for a little while” (1 Peter 1:6). But in the midst of those times you will experience joy beyond human comprehension. Prayer: God, thank You that when we suffer because of You, we are promised that You will bless us through it. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. “Now 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” (Romans 8:17).