Two Ways to Suffer: Which Way Do You Suffer

Read 1Peter 4:12-19
Title in NIV: Participation in Christ's suffering.

We all know that trials will happen. It is our attitude toward them that is the key. Our attitude toward suffering and trials indicates how mature we are in Christ. Sometimes we suffer because of the attitude of others. We suffer because we feel insulted with their actions or words toward us. I believe these insults can come from non-Christians as well as our Christian brothers and sisters. Let us examine what our attitude should be like when insult comes.

Insult causes us to suffer and, I believe, it should also cause us to examine ourselves. Our feeling and emotions get hurt when people do not agree with us and support us like we think they should. Verse 14 says we can expect insult "because of the name of Christ". We live in a fallen world of selfishness, worldliness, temptations, lust, greed... the list could go on and on. But, if we suffer for the name of Christ, we are blessed. If you are suffering examine why. Is is because you give more than is comfortable for your checkbook? Is it because you help others more than what your schedule will hold? Do you suffer because your good deeds are getting noticed by the 'fallen world' and they are laughing at you, like Noah? Examine why you feel like you suffer. It should be because of His name.

On the other hand, you could be suffering because God is refining you in a trial to get rid of an attitude in your character. Malachi 3:3 says, "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, he will purify the Levites and refine them...". Why does God do this? Is 48:9-11, "For my own name's sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you, so as not to cut you off. See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let my name be defamed?" Again, examine why you feel like you suffer. It should be because of His name, not because you are in the fire of affliction.

So, what should your attitude be toward people who inflict insult on you? Luke says it best. Luke 6:27-38, "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.... If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back....Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give and it will be given to you."

Again, examine yourself and be honest. Do you suffer because you are in Christ, or do you suffer because God is refining pride, bitterness, unforgiveness and other hurtful attitudes out of you? And, are you mature enough to overlook an offense (Prov. 12:16) and think highly of your offender?